Think Yourself Lucky?

Do you? Do you consider yourself lucky? I ask because I think we all consider the question from time to time, but i wonder how many of us consider why we think of ourselves one way or the other. Luck is one of those fascinating concepts that straddles the line between the mystical and the practical. Some, see it as a whimsical force that bestows fortune at random and they can live their lives, crossing fingers, avoiding black cats and not walking under ladders, but over the years I have come to realise that luck, at least the kind that truly matters, is not as mysterious as it seems. Instead, it is something we can individually cultivate, harness, and even generate through our actions and attitudes and I felt I would share exactly how.

I am writing this now, because I often get approached by people and asked how I have been able to achieve things, and often people will say in various words, ‘you were very lucky’…'you were lucky you knew so and so….’, or ‘you were lucky getting that offer….’, ‘or what luck it was that you came across….’ - You get the idea. However, I believe putting aside random things, my luck, is the outcome of three key things, not some magical force, but personal attitude, often serious preparation, and then embracing opportunity.

People also often ask me to assist them in the development of their businesses, their networks, their campaigns or projects. I get the sense it is because they think I have simply been lucky in building similar things, and rather like rubbing a rabbit’s foot, or finding a four leaf clover, think I can magic up some luck for them.

Of Course, a truly lucky Rabbits foot, is still on the Rabbit and truly lucky clover is still growing!

So what Does It Mean to Be Lucky? I should just clarify what I mean by "lucky." Luck, and being lucky in my terms, is the occurrence of events which plays into one’s favour. It is moments when things, perhaps against the odds, or unexpectedly, just go right. It is when opportunities fall into our laps, or when we meet the right person at just the right time to make the right thing happen. It isn’t for me, how to win on the lottery.

My own experience convinces me that luck goes beyond just random chance. In my life, it results from a combination of factors, which I have pinned down to the top three – firstly my mindset, secondly my actions, which is about preparation and finally my relationships and how opportunities emerge. I categorically know that I have been lucky in life, but beyond the luck of being born in this wealthy and secure country, in this relatively safe time and with the obvious genetic aspects I inherited, the rest of my luck, in terms of achieving things, has been about creating conditions in which positive outcomes are more likely to occur. When I think about when I have been lucky, it often stems from the relationships with individuals that I have built, the calculated risks that I have been prepared to take, and fundamentally, my openness to new experiences.

In other words, luck is not something that just happens to us, it is something we can influence, nurture and grow and I hope my tips can help others do the same.

Lucky Experience:

If you had asked me in my younger years if I considered myself lucky, I might have shrugged and said, "Sometimes." But that is because at that time I will have viewed it as being whether I won a raffle prize, or was offered a free ticket to something, or other such triviality. Yet when we think of luck, we shouldn’t think of the trivial things in life, but the big things; our home and family lives, our health, as well as our professional growth and achievements. So although this article can be read primarily about luck in our professional life, the pointers I share are exactly the same for the rest of our experiences. Quite simply, as I have grown older and reflected on my journey, I can see how much of my luck, on the big things of life has been self-made.

Lucky Personality:

Probably the single most significant factor in leading a lucky life, has been my natural and genuine inclination to be an outgoing personality and be interested in other people. I don’t know why necessarily I am that way, not everyone in my family is and yet I have always been the kind of person who enjoys meeting new people, learning their stories, and finding ways to connect with them. This curiosity and enthusiasm isn’t some sort of ‘power networking strategy’, it isn’t as contrived as that, it is simply a long held, back to childhood interest and willingness to connect. Whatever the reason, that approach has led me to build what by any standards is a wide network of connections and friendships, both personally and professionally and it is within this network that I have found countless opportunities that might not have come my way otherwise and which would be termed by others as ‘lucky’. So with that in mind, how else can your personality make you luckier.

1. Be Curious: One of the most effective ways to attract luck is to be genuinely curious about the world and the people in it. This means stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging with others, even when it feels awkward or uncomfortable. The more connections you make, the more likely you are to encounter opportunities. Even on a simple basis, as an example; if you know ten people you have ten chances of being told they have a spare ticket for something and would you like to join then, if you know one hundred people, then the chance you have is tenfold – simple.

But being curious of people isn't just about making connections, it is also about maintaining and nurturing them. This is about relationships, genuine interest, so keep in touch, offer help when you can, and be open to collaboration. Over time, this will become a rich source of opportunities, a rich seam of luck.

2. Be Open To The New: Luck often comes in unexpected forms, and if you are too rigid in your thinking about where your interests lie, or too focused on a single goal, you might miss it. Instead, try to stay open to new experiences and possibilities. This might mean saying "yes" to things that don’t seem immediately relevant to your current goals, or being willing to pivot when something intriguing comes your way. As someone who has always been open to new things, I have had extraordinary experiences, many of which have had unexpected, positive and thereby lucky results.

3. Calculate Risks: Luck favours the bold, or so the saying goes. In my experience, this is generally true, up to a point. Taking risks is not everyone’s comfort zone, but I think is an essential part of creating luck, but they need to be calculated risks. This means doing homework, understanding all potential outcomes, and being prepared to adapt if things don’t go as planned. Preparation and understanding is critical to developing opportunities which may then lead to what can be described as lucky outcomes. Some people will question what you are doing and whether it is the best for you, but so often when I have done my research, and believed in the potential of something, even if it seems slightly mad to others, and in their minds have to be ‘very lucky’ to achieve it – I have. Such luck was created by being willing to take a measured risk.

Lucky Relationships:

As I mentioned earlier, my relationships have been one of the most significant sources of luck in my life. But building relationships should not simply be about collecting contacts for networking’s sake. I was approached by someone a few years ago, who prides himself on being renowned for being highly networked in London. He approached me at an event, introduced himself and I was clearly ‘acquired’. Over the years he attended my events, used them to open other doors, yet I now know, perfected the ability to fake sincerity. I only found out when he inadvertently dropped his guard, talking ill about others to me, somewhat spectacularly. I cite this because when I say build and nurture relationships, I don’t mean build and nurture simply a network. Building and nurturing relationships is based on genuine interest and offering help without expecting anything in return, it is being concerned in the success of others.

Lucky Mindset :

Finally, one of the most important factors in being lucky is maintaining a positive and resilient mindset. This hasn’t always been easy personally, as those who work with me know - I can tend towards worrying and can get very down at times, so it doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect, but rather staying optimistic in the face of adversity and being willing to keep going when things get tough. I learnt this in the Army, where the morale of those around you is critical and your job as an officer is to maintain it. In my experience, luck often comes after periods of struggle or uncertainty. By staying positive and resilient, and by example helping others do the same, you increase the chances of being in the right place at the right time when that next opportunity comes along. Moreover, a positive attitude makes you more approachable and likeable, which in turn attracts more opportunities. Keep smiling is probably the best advice you can have.

In the end, luck is a mindset that is open to possibilities, willing to take risks, and really and truly being interested in others. It is about believing that good things can happen when good people get together, and putting yourself in the best position to be a part of that, which simply increases the likelihood. When I look back at the ‘lucky’ moments in my life, I can see how they were often the result of choices I made, choices to be outgoing, to take chances, and to nurture relationships. Be genuinely interested in people, say yes to new experiences, take calculated risks and keep a positive mindset. You will find that luck is not a mysterious force – it is something you can create both within you and around you for others to also benefit from.

Good luck to you…