Diligence is the mother of good luck.
-Benjamin Franklin
I have great news! Today could be your lucky day. It’s not a matter of chance, it’s a matter of choice. Lucky people are ordinary people who create their own good luck by practicing simple luck-producing habits. Here’s what you need to do:
Constantly try new things.
There’s a saying that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If you want to improve your luck, you have to try new things to see what works and what doesn’t.
Unlucky people tend to be creatures of habit. They take the same route to and from work every single day, talk to the same types of people at social functions, and live out the same routine day in and day out.
In contrast, lucky people try to introduce variety into their lives. For example, one lucky friend I know recently described how he thought of a color before arriving at a business convention and then introduced himself to people wearing that color. This kind of behavior boosts the likelihood of chance opportunities by introducing variety into an otherwise status-quo situation. And in my friend’s particular case, his (somewhat odd) tactic led to a fairly substantial contract deal with a new client.
Think about how lucky you are right now.
Lucky people tend to see the positive side of their ill fortune. They imagine how things could have been so much worse. For instance, I met a rather cheerful, successful and lucky business client recently who showed up to our meeting with a cast from shoulder to wrist on her left arm. She then explained to me how she had fallen down a flight of stairs. “But I am the luckiest person alive,” she continued. “I walked away from that fall with a broken arm instead of a broken neck.”
Another interesting example of this is how research suggests that Olympic athletes who win bronze medals are typically happier than their Silver medalist counterparts. This is because silver medalists think that if they had performed slightly better they might have won a gold medal. In contrast, bronze medalists focus on how if they’d performed slightly worse, they wouldn’t have won anything.
Having a positive outlook on life is a must if you are to become a luckier person. If your outlook on life is doom and gloom, then that’s all you’ll experience. Fortunately, the opposite is also true. You control your luck and your life by controlling your thoughts.
Look around. Appreciate the things you have right now. Many people aren’t so lucky. Read The Power of Positive Thinking.
Notice little things and solve small problems.
I chatted with an aspiring web application developer recently who was complaining that all the big ideas were being worked on already and that there was nothing groundbreaking left to do. As he talked, I realized he was referencing massive projects that others were working on that seemed mostly out of reach. And as I thought about all these ‘grand ideas’ I realized that in most cases they probably didn’t start with a massive plan or project, but rather started by trying to solve a simple problem.
This is the impression I get when I read about the early stages of companies like Google. I’m pretty sure Google’s founders didn’t have the goal of organizing the all of the world’s information as their primary focus when they first started – instead they started with a series of smaller problems (problems are potential opportunities) and slowly expanded their end goal from there.
Work on things you’re passionate about.
Some of us were born to be musicians – to communicate intricate thoughts and rousing feelings with the strings of a guitar. Some of us were born to be poets – to touch people’s hearts with exquisite prose. Some of us were born to be entrepreneurs – to create growth and opportunity where others saw rubbish. And still, some of us were born to do whatever it is, specifically, that moves you.
Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires. You must follow your intuition. Good luck and true wealth come naturally to those who are passionate about their work. Read Quitter.
Establish relationships with people who share your interests.
If you’re already passionate about something, finding and connecting with others who share your passionate viewpoint can help you in numerous ways. You can tap into their knowledge on the topic, share your own ideas and experiences, and often share and learn things outside of your common interest area.
Make an extra effort to reach out to people who you’ve identified as having an interest overlap. If you happen to meet someone casually who has an interest overlap with you, don’t hesitate, jump on board with that connection. It can provide a great opportunity for you to build a friendship in an unexpected place.
Share your skills, ideas, and knowledge freely with others. If you’re already involved in a group with a particular interest, make an effort to reach out to newcomers. Not only will a friendly face help to encourage them to get involved, they’ll often hold you in high regard, as you’re the one who broke down some of that ‘newness’ barrier for them. Similarly, when people come to such meetings looking for help, don’t hesitate to assist in any way you can.
Help others out when you’re able.
Remember, in life, you get what you put in. Luck often comes in the form of help when you need it, and the best way to ‘grease the rails’ for help when you’ll eventually need it is by helping others right now. If you’re presented with an opportunity to help – particularly one that you can fulfill without infringing on your other responsibilities – the luckiest thing you can possibly do is help in every way you possibly can.
And when you help others, don’t expect something in return. Instead, just enjoy the experience of helping that person out and building a stronger personal relationship with them. That stronger relationship will be there for you later on in your time of need – just trust in it and be a helpful friend whenever you can.
Take calculated risks.
Lucky people take more risks. This doesn’t mean they gamble their livelihood by taking ill-advised risks on sketchy business opportunities. Taking a risk can be calculated – you weigh your options, know what you can afford to lose, and go for it. If it doesn’t work out, you go for it again when you can afford to lose a little more.
When you take small, calculated risks, either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win. Remember, if you never act, you will never know for sure, and you will be left standing in the same unlucky spot forever.
Pay close attention to the present.
Unlucky people often dwell on mistakes from the past, obsessing about the bad luck that put them in their present unlucky situation, or they concern themselves too much with future ideals. Lucky people, on the other hand, concentrate on the present moment.
Life is happening right now. You can’t learn something new or uncover a new opportunity that’s happening now if your mind is stuck in another time. Opportunities present themselves every day, all around you, but you have to pay close attention to your surroundings to notice them. Read The Power of Now.
Identify the lesson.
Everything is a life lesson. Everyone you meet, everything you encounter, etc. They’re all part of the learning experience we call ‘life.’
Never forget to acknowledge the lesson, especially when things don’t go your way. If you don’t get a job you wanted or a relationship doesn’t work, it only means something better is out there waiting. And the lesson you just learned is the first step towards it.
Remember, having good luck is a choice. Use all of the lessons you learn to make educated decisions and create good luck for yourself in the future.
Work toward your goals every day without fail.
The harder you work, the luckier you will become. Stop waiting around for things to work out on their own. They won’t. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.
While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean truly devoting oneself to the end result. The rest of us never act on our decision. Or, at best, we pretend to act on it by putting forth an uninspired, half-assed effort.
If you want good luck in your life, you’ve got to be willing to give it 100% every day. No slacking off! Achieving your goals and dreams can be a lot of work. Be ready for it. Read Getting Things Done for some practical guidance in this arena.
Photo by: Matthew Fang
farouk says
Marc, I have always believed that luck can be created and not inherited
we can create our own luck on the long term by becoming persistent until our methods work , just as you said.
strongly agree:)
Daniel says
Great tips! I especially like the one on constantly trying new things.
I try to do something new every week, and it’s definitely helped me to connect with people I otherwise wouldn’t have.
I attended a random networking dinner recently (I almost decided not to go) and met a talented designer who offered to help me out in my business. What an unexpected blessing!
Try new things and you’ll definitely become “luckier.”
bendedspoon says
Perfect 10! No slacking when you want luck — working, yes 🙂
J & B says
Your first point shouted out to me!
B and I will be starting a year of adventures in 2012, making an effort to try new things, get out of our comfort zones and really enjoy what life has to offer…
Join us on our journey if you like 🙂
It is people like Marc and Angel who encourage us to do such things and to live life better!
We love you guys!
J & B
Sean says
Identify the lesson is exactly what has helped me get through many tough situations. Sure you get angry and frustrated when something unexpected happens that really sets you back. But if you’re able to find the lesson then sometimes the setback leads to greater possibilities.
Lauren Weber says
I consider myself a very lucky person. People always wonder how I’ve created that attitude for myself, and you just put it into words {so eloquently} exactly how I feel. It IS key to try new things, be open-minded and help others – as an old quote says, you can’t help someone else and not get a little help yourself in the process 🙂
Ina says
And to think that I was about to buy one of those gemstones that supposedly brings good luck! 😉
I’ve always considered myself lucky, but now I know how to increase my luck.
Thanks
Will Kwan says
Strong points. I especially agree with noticing the small things in life and proposing solutions. The biggest accomplishments often originate from humble roots, yet not many people realize this. They focus so much on the supposed “big” things and feeling empty even if they succeed because they passed up on all the other opportunities that were right under their noses.
marc van der Linden says
Happiness is a choice and we can choose for it every single day of our life.
Thanks for the reminder!
Alice Shaw says
Great post.. just what I needed after a rough day at work.. I can go in with a fresh start tomorrow!
John Sherry says
Indeed we are lucky Marc and I felt it reading this post because you’ve reminded us that it’s not something that shows up, it what’s always there when we notice it and show up. Luck isn’t just the rare grandiose stuff it’s also the everyday benevolence like the moment you walk in the house after being outside it pours with rain or a car park space appears just as you get to a packed store. Luck is ever existent and certainly never in short supply. When we witness it and allow it to work its magic we never look back.
Harry Konst says
Great tips! I’d love to see even more like these.
Janet says
What a great article about luck. The practical tips you include for each way are very helpful. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful perspective.
Jibran says
Hey Marc,
Great article, great website. Did you ever consider listings all the books recommeneded in all the articles on your site as a separate reference on your site?
Galen Pearl says
I agree. We do create our luck, exactly the way you describe! Nicely done!
Marc says
Thanks for the positive feedback everyone. I hope you’re making a this week lucky for yourselves.
Ruth says
I completely agree that we create our own luck in life.
Working towards focusing on the positive/ present is what I’m particularly working on right now. You’re right that opportunities come up all the time, and we’ll easily miss out if we’re not ready to focus on things right now.
Being present also helps me to reduce negative thoughts, as I know everything in life has lead me to where I am right now, and I’m ready for those opportunities.
Melissa says
Hi Marc, Thanks for this informative list. It’s worth noting Dr. Richard Wiseman’s 10-year study on lucky people, which has similar findings (including the olympic medal example). His team made a great website – the luck factor
Being Lovable says
Creating luck means being someone that the world adores..it needs quite a bit of work..one should understand that a ‘lucky’ guy is not lucky because he has psychic ideas…but because he does things that make him lucky enough…he does things that instantly make him lovable…
KenWert@MeanttobeHappy says
Well said, Marc!
We do, in fact, create our own luck … at least most of it. Micheal Jordan worked his tail off to become as good as he became. But had he been born with e genetic code that pegged his maximum height at 5.5, we would not know his name today, at least not as a basketball superstar.
Still, you are right. I do believe we are the authors of our own lives. What others call luck is a failure to see the dedicated persistence in the years preceding their “luck.”
And thanks for the suggestions on how to start creating our own brand of luck. All well said!
Lorraine C-L says
Luck is all in your head! Your luck is strictly up to you. Good read.
hballente says
I love this list! Always trying new things is a must in creating new luck.
Meeya says
Really good article! Thank you for writing this, really inspiring…