Luck is Made, Not Born.
Stop relying on chance, and create your own luck instead. How well do you do the items below?
There is a very common misconception that a person can be successful just by being ”lucky.”
I hate that idea.
While there is something called chance that says you could win the lottery (or get hit by a bus) tomorrow, the truth of the matter is that people who are perceived as lucky, by in large create their own luck. That is, they see opportunity where others see nothing (or see risk), and they know when to take advantage and “try their luck.” I would be willing to bet that if you were to record your entire day, including all phone calls, in person meetings and conversations at Starbucks on the way to work, that you would realize dozens of potential opportunities that had completely evaded your perception when they happened. The only difference between a so-called “lucky” individual and one who isn’t, is their ability to recognize and pursue those opportunities as they happen.
What do the “lucky” do differently?
I have been following the concept of luck for several years, and spent a great deal of time monitoring the attitudes and personal behaviors of people who were perceived as lucky. Here are some of the more consistent trends I’ve found:
- Ability to take risk.
Probably the biggest difference between someone who’s perceived as being lucky (and one who isn’t) comes in their level of risk aversion. What’s the last project or idea that you turned down because you didn’t want to tie up your weekend, or because it could “not work?” Note that there’s a big difference between taking risks and being stupid, which is why you don’t see many YouTube rednecks running Fortune 500 companies. - Comfort in Questioning.
Why can’t I get onion rings instead of french fries? Obviously an oversimplified example, but the point is that questioning rules and the status quo can be a fantastic way to create “luck.” Most people go through life accepting every rule and policy that comes their way because they are either a) used to them and never thought about it or b) don’t want to cause problems. Start noticing the people in your life you perceive as lucky. Do they question the rules that don’t make sense, or ask for the things that other people simply don’t ask for (such as the open booth near the fish tank at a restaurant – the one you notice them at later)? - Lack of Complacency.
Think of the people in your life that you perceive as lucky. Do they sit on the couch all day, drinking beer and watching soap opera re-runs? I doubt it. Chances are they are at least fairly active people, both in their jobs and in their personal lives. When they do have down time, they are probably more likely to read a book than watch television. Complacency is counterproductive to success and to the concept of luck – if you’re on the couch, what opportunities are coming your way?
Obviously, this is not an all-inclusive list. But, it can help to provide some insight into your current state. Do you take measured risks and pursue opportunities, or do you prefer to live on the sidelines? Do you question why you have to do things the way they are always done, and pursue your own path to reach your destination?
Leave a comment below, I’d love to know.
Tags: luck, Productivity
