From Fast Company, Stephanie Vozza talks about luck and how it may be possible to increase one’s luck through developing certain habits. I’ve been fascinated with the concept of increasing your luck since I read Jason Zweig‘s article R U Lucky in 2003. Stephanie writes about six habits to improve hour luck; these are my favorites:
3. EXPAND YOUR CIRCLES
“In the business world, as in movies, the big breaks flow through contacts between people,” writes Max Gunther in his book, How To Get Lucky. “Not necessarily close friendships, just contacts–sometimes tenuous ones,” he explains.
Your chances of getting a lucky break are in direct proportion to the number of people you know. Develop a network of friends and acquaintances at home and at work. Attend events with the goal of meeting one new person.
“Luck flows along linked chains of people until it hits targets,” Gunther writes.
Thor Muller and Lane Becker, authors of Get Lucky: How To Put Planned Serendipity to Work For You and Your Business, say this kind of motion is a basic element of serendipity.
“To move is to shake things up, to break out of your routine, to find new ways to consistently meet new people and run into new ideas,” they write. “Motion does not discriminate based on experience, IQ, or educational background–it simply rewards energetic, spontaneous action.”
4. BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS
While long-range plans are helpful, it’s important to not take them seriously, says Gunther. Lucky people permit themselves to be distracted by ideas that are interesting and exciting.
“The lucky are aware that life is always going to be a turbulent sea of opportunities drifting randomly past in all directions,” he writes. “If you put blinders on yourself so that you can see only the straight ahead, you will miss nearly everything. A plan can be used as a kind of guide into the future, but should never be allowed to harden into a law.”
Luck is often about making connections no one else has. For example, Arthur Fry, cocreator of the Post-It Note, learned about the adhesive technology because he happened to attend a lecture given by the inventor, Becker said in an interview with Inc.
“So, for anyone looking to activate their geek brain (the part of the brain that has many curiosities), take steps to advance your education–in whatever shape that takes,” he said. “Be alert and be present, even when you’re doing nonwork-related activities. You never know where or when inspiration will strike.”
5. GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME
Being able to visualize your success is one way to obtain it, says Simpson. He suggests developing a mantra, a few sentences that can act like your game plan. “I’ve got this,” for example, or “Because I can.”
A mantra, or positive affirmation, provides a single focus point, removes past and future, leaving only the present and the now, and enhances intuition, says Simpson. It also deals with distractions, highlights what is possible, and builds confidence.
“Although the concept appears so simple, it is an extremely powerful tool for the subconscious mind.”
6. TURN NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES
No matter how lucky someone is, they will have to deal with adversity. Instead of ruminating over bad luck, look for the bright side or the new opportunity that presents itself.
“True champions in the world of sport define themselves by how they turn the most terrible negative into a positive,” says Simpson.
Read the full story Six Simple Habits Of “Lucky” People
