Understanding The Luck Factor
Did you ever ask yourself, what does it mean to be lucky? Do you look at yourself as a lucky or unlucky person? In this article, we will discuss what the luck factor means and how it can help you better understand luck.
Why does it seem that some people take short-cuts and are generally lazy or unmotivated and have “all the luck” while others who are hard-working do-gooders are very unlucky?
Understanding The Luck Factor
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Does having luck mean finding the perfect partner, or achieving life-long goals and ambitions? Well, you are not alone in asking. At some point, many of us have asked ourselves these questions.
At some point, many of us have asked ourselves these questions. I’ve always been enthralled with the topic of luck ever since I can remember, and I wanted to understand the dynamics of the luck factor mystery that quite often seemed elusive.
The very first book I read on luck was called The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman. He was born in 1966 and is a Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. His book provides the reader with an eye-opening and scientifically proven way to understand, control, and increase your luck.
Wiseman’s scientific investigation is based upon interviews and experiments with people who consider themselves either lucky or unlucky. It took him several years to complete his study.
Wiseman believes that lucky people simply possess four basic psychological traits unlucky people don’t.
They are as follows:
- The ability to maximize chance opportunities
- Listen to “gut feelings,”
- To expect good fortune and
- See the bright side of bad luck
I was young and seeking a deeper understanding of life when I first read his book. As I was reading it, I was filled with the anxiety of trying to understand what luck is and why some people are luckier than others. It wasn’t that simple.
A Deeper Understanding Of Luck
Upon completion of reading the book, I had a greater understanding of what luck was and what I intuitively needed to do to fit snugly in the category of “lucky people”. I realized in part, it was largely about your belief system, how you think about yourself, and how to listen to your intuition.
Wiseman says – Lucky people generate their own good fortune via four basic principles.
- They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities
- Make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition
- Create self-fulfilling prophecies via positive expectations
- Adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good
Your General Attitude: Do you generally believe you are lucky or unlucky? This question plays a huge role in whether you are indeed lucky. We all have unlucky events that happen to us.
Some, more than others, but it’s how you handle these situations that define your luck. Personally, I’ve had a few health issues that might have knocked some for a loop, but my attitude about them has allowed me to heal and continue happily.
After reading The Luck Factor, I realized it was my attitude as well as my outlook on life that made me lucky or unlucky, and not a series of unfortunate life events or some random cosmic coin toss.
I learned regardless of any negative situations that arose in my life or my loved one’s lives, to make sure my positive attitude was intact and my outlook remained positive. I got in the habit of always being thankful thinking these bad situations could have been worse!
While simply thinking positively doesn’t miraculously turn a bad situation into a good one, it does contribute to your overall attitude about life, love, and happiness and that translates into luck.
Perseverance And Luck
When faced with a challenge, are you more likely to give up easily? Do you tend to see adversity as a roadblock or as an opportunity to take the task head-on?
This too plays a huge role in defining your luck. Lucky people by nature always take the challenge they are confronted with and are relentless about never giving up. Bitching, moaning, and complaining doesn’t solve anything nor does it get you where you need to be.
Sure, we all complain, but when you hear yourself complaining say the word STOP either to yourself or out loud if necessary. This will bring you awareness and allow you to center yourself. It’s a trick I often use when I hear myself overly complaining.
Opportunities and Being Able To Recognize Them: They are everywhere! Another huge factor in luck is to be able to spot the opportunity and fully immerse yourself in it.
If you walk blindly through life being self-absorbed, you will never see the wonderful opportunities in front of you. Observe everything and allow yourself to see the golden moment instead of walking around with blinders on.
However, once you open yourself to these moments, you will allow yourself to meet the right people and be in the perfect place for that opportunity to turn into magic.
Step outside of yourself and realize that life isn’t just about you, but it’s also about the people around you. People will instinctively know this and want to work with you, network with you, and be around you.
Wiseman states that his personality tests revealed that unlucky people are generally more worried and anxious than lucky people, and research has shown that anxiety disrupts people’s ability to notice the unexpected.
Superstition and The Luck Factor
Superstition doesn’t work! Richard Wiseman says It’s based on outdated and incorrect thinking. Most of us have certain superstitions that we lug around with us daily.
Using scientific research, Wiseman has shown us that believing in superstitions doesn’t work. There are times when I find myself in situations where if I see a ladder up against a wall I walk around it. If I see a black cat walk past my path I make the sign of the cross or if I spill salt it goes over my left shoulder.
However, all of these examples is magical thinking. This type of thinking has been passed down to us for generations. We need to stop this type of negative thinking and realize there aren’t any outside mystical forces at work against us.
You can also read more about Wiseman’s book and his research.
This short video of Wiseman’s research will better explain his work and research.
The Law of Attraction and Luck
I also became a huge fan of this book – The Secret by – when it first was published in 2010.
I immediately knew this secret Byrne wrote about, held meaning and value, and I ran out to get a copy. What does this have to do with luck? Quite possibly everything.
You can apply this law to every aspect of your life – money, health, relationships, happiness, and all interactions with people you have! It has a lot to do with your general attitude too!
For example, it’s not just about wishing for money or good health, but rather to believe that every thought you have becomes a real thing, a force and that you are the transmitter.
Our minds are very good at making reality happen and what you think and believe you make come to life. You can create your own reality with your own thoughts and words.
If you think you are lucky you will be lucky even in what can seem to be the unluckiest of scenarios. You can create self-fulfilling prophecies through positive expectations.
The Outcome: Based on the four principles of Wiseman’s book and research, these four pointers below summarizes his work.
- Maximize your chance possibilities and always try to be alert to opportunities
- Listen to your lucky hunches. When you hear your inner voice speak – listen!
- Expect good fortune – tell yourself you deserve luck and believe it
- Turn bad luck into good
- Repeat – It could have always been worse
Additionally, reading and researching luck over the years has taught me many valuable lessons. Wiseman’s book has helped me to transform the way I think about life, luck and my role in it.
In Conclusion
One thing is for sure, I was very lucky to have read when I was younger because it prepared me for many obstacles yet to come.
More so, it also enabled me to understand that luck, just like anything else in life isn’t about magic, or what astrological house the moon was in that month, but rather luck is based on your attitude, perceptions, and perseverance.
This book, The Luck Factor, can also help you understand that luck, just like anything else in life isn’t about magic, or what astrological house the moon was in that month, but rather luck is based on your attitude, perceptions, and perseverance.
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Great article! Luck ha!… we can all use it. I always liked The Law of Attraction book – The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
Fantastic Post Carolann! Looking forward to my winnings in the days to come!
I recall reading The Laws of Attraction…wonder if I still have the book? Loved reading about luck today and how intuition plays a part in it.
This was so interesting! I’m not sure I can stop throwing salt though:)
I don’t know if I believe in luck or not, but I do believe in the power of positive thinking (which, you know, I wrote about today!) and making good choices based on research and intuition.
Bad things do happen, they are unavoidable. The trick is how we handle them, and doing as you say with perseverance and learning from each experience is the best way to handle life events.
love this post don’t usually think of myself as a lucky person but totally believe in the law of attraction and i’m a doer so i guess luck is on my side and will think so from now on thanks so much for sharing Carolann
This is fascinating. I’ve never really thought of myself as “lucky,” but I do consider myself hugely blessed (despite all kinds of some would consider as “unlucky”). This research just underscores what I’ve always thought: a positive attitude makes a world of difference.
Thanks so much for sharing! I’m always looking for more books to add to my reading list and these sound very interesting (and yes–I’ve wondered all of these things about luck and what it means and if some people just naturally have it, etc… so this is right in my wheelhouse!).
Hope you’re having a great week :)
I’m on the fence about luck, because I think we do make our own luck in this life. And since I believe we come in with a mission, all things that happen are for our greater good. So maybe I don’t believe in luck.
Great article… *mentally adjusts attitude to positive before the onslaught of Christmas visitors….
My mom and I use to have to educate people on the luck factor because we’d see so many people beg for a horse shoe from us and then display them upside down. We really didn’t believe in luck, but there were so many people who bought our used horseshoes it wasn’t even funny.
This is an interesting article and filled with valuable information and tips. Thanks for sharing your research with us.
I consider myself lucky, I win a lot of things, but basically I believe you make your own luck with positive thinking and hard work.
I really enjoy this Carolann!
Carolann, great post, and I heartily agree, we are masters of our own luck. Believing you are lucky sets you up in a whole different way that those that believe they are unlucky. Our attitudes, and perspectives really create our reality!
This is interesting. I was just speaking with a friend yesterday who frequents casinos. This year she made about $15,000.00 from the slots. She says the machines talk to her and call her name as she walks past so she knows that is a “lucky’ machine. I don’t think I am lucky until I hear or read misfortunes of others and then I think I am a very lucky person.
I think we can all use a little luck. *BlogHer Network
I am totally with Lisa on this one. Even in those parts of my life where some my think I am unlucky, I am so blessed and so grateful for all. Great info Carolann! Thank you!
Interesting. I never used to believe that people were lucky, but I do think that there are some people who seem to “have it easier” than others. I am going to think about this some more. Thanks.
Thanks much Ruth! It’s in interesting topic for sure. Everyone’s perspective varies and it’s so interesting to read them all!
Yes for sure. Try reading the book as it’s very insightful! Thanks much for stopping by!
I agree Shalama!
Oh wow I get that same vibe too when I go to casinos! That’s exactly what I was talking about – listen to your inner voice! it’s all in the approach! Thanks for stopping by and sharing :)
Thanks Nancy! You are exactly correct! It is about creating our own reality. Thanks much for stopping by!
Awesome – my job was done then :) Thanks much for stopping by!
Hi Cindy – I agree with you 100% Thanks much for stopping by!
Interesting views and tips but I think they are helpful, a more positive way thinking will bring more to you in life. Sounds like a good read! #ibabloggers
Oh wow Crystal! That’s so interesting to me. It really validates a lot about the post. Awesome to know you and your mom would help folks out with this topic! I love horseshoes just in general. As a matter of fact – I need to find one day. I adore them as I do horses. Thanks much for stopping by!
Thanks much Bernadyn! Thanks much for stopping by!
Thanks much Sara! lol I know the feeling. Thanks much for stopping by!
Hi Carol, that was the exact point of the post. We do in fact make our own luck. Luck is a perspective indeed. Thanks much for stopping by!
Awesome to hear Charlotte! let me know how you liked it. Thanks much for stopping by!
Yes Lisa exactly! The book is a great read for sure. Thanks much for stopping by!
Yes Anj exactly! The law of attraction means everything having to do with luck…Thanks much for stopping by!
You said it perfectly Cathy! That was one of the main points of the read. it was a great book indeed! Thanks much for stopping by!
Thanks much Doreen! LOL me either. Thanks much for stopping by!
Yes great book! Worth the reread! Thanks much for stopping by!
Thanks much Peggy! Yes, do indeed! Thanks much for stopping by!
I know you do! We just talked about this last week lol. Love me
Sometimes being lucky means understanding that you already are lucky. I have a good life, good family, the freedom to choose what I will do with my life. And what I choose has been (continues to be) meaningful to me: being with those I care about, writing my stories (and having them published), being creative in the way I live on a daily basis.
Is luck something that comes to you, or more related to how you live and what you think of your life?
Hi Sally! Perfectly said. Yes, being “lucky” is having the ability to believe in all the things you spoke about and more! I believe luck comes to you when it will it to as per the laws of attraction. Seems like you are very lucky indeed…doing what you want that is meaningful and loving. Yes, being lucky does mean you understand that you are already lucky for sure! Thanks much for the insightful comment!
Positivity and visualization carries us much further along than doubt. But compared to the billions of people on the planet, most of us who blog or read blogs are Damned Lucky. May the Force be with you. ;-)
I love this! I do believe I’m very lucky but also believe I work hard to be lucky. I will always remember Oprah saying there’s no such thing as luck. Luck is really opportunity plus action – which definitely made sense to me. Such an interesting topic!
This is so fascinating. I believe that luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and that you kind of have to make your own luck. I also believe that your thoughts create your reality. Thanks for showing the science behind luck.
I do believe that luck has a lot to do with things too. My neighbor was on a shop in the Navy in WWII and wrote a book titled “The Luck of the Draw”
Oh wow I’d love to read that! I really enjoy hearing other people’s luck stories…they are always so interesting. Thanks much for stopping by!
Thanks Estelle! That’s exactly correct! A lot of folks still believe in the magic of luck but I always enjoy hearing their stories. Thanks much for stopping by!
Thanks much Lois! Yes, I agree totally! Oprah is a very wise woman for sure. The research is fascinating. I love reading folk’s stories about luck they always cause me to head-tilt! Thanks much for stopping by!
Hi Nancy! So well said! I had to laugh at the “May the force be with you”. I always say, “May the force be with me!” Thanks much for stopping by!
Thank you for this post and I’ll be looking into this book further! I do believe I am overall a very lucky person. However I have some areas I’m not lucky in… like finding a job. Since that’s my goal right now I need this type of thinking!
Hi Denise, oh that book is a great read. Once you change the way you think, everything else follows. Let me know what you think of the book if you decide to read it. Happy New Year and thanks much for stopping by!