-Luck is the result of habits, not magic.

Ever marveled at people who seem to be bathed in luck?

Their aura of ease and confidence isn’t a result of magic; it reflects the receptivity they cultivate through consistent actions. Luck, as revealed by Dr. Richard Wiseman’s decade-long study in his book, “The Luck Factor,” is a state you can actively create for yourself.

What lucky people do and don’t do.
Dr. Wiseman discovered that lucky people generate good fortune based on four positive principles they act on consistently. Unfortunately, unlucky people don’t.

Personality tests show that unlucky people are generally more tense and anxious. Anxiety, according to research, disrupts your ability to notice the unexpected and make timely decisions, characteristics of lucky people.

Discover the secrets to becoming luckier and feeling more confident with these four positive principles Dr. Wiseman discovered lucky people embody:

Create and Notice Chance Opportunities:
Be open, be relaxed. Lucky individuals are attuned to their surroundings because they are more at ease enabling them to spot opportunities others overlook. They also are willing to break free from routine, venturing into new territories and embracing change.

The next time you go to an event or have a conversation with someone, try to be more receptive and see what develops. Be open to the unexpected. Seek out ways to do things differently. Take a new route to work, talk to people you don’t know or try new activities.

Listen to Your Intuition:
Trust your instincts. Lucky people make decisions with confidence, propelled by their gut feelings. This enables them to make quicker decisions, leading to more action and exposure to potential opportunities.

Start small by listening to your intuition in everyday choices, such as what to eat or a movie to watch. As you build this trust, you’ll be able to make more confident decisions of considerable significance.

Transform Bad Luck into Good:
Adopt a resilient attitude. Lucky individuals see the bright side of misfortune, which keeps them moving forward with positivity instead of being paralyzed by the negative.

Imagine you happen to be at the bank when a robbery occurs and are shot in the arm. Would you consider yourself lucky or unlucky? Dr. Wiseman asked participants in his study to imagine such a scenario.

One lucky participant said, “It’s lucky because you could have been shot in the head. Also, you could sell your story to the newspapers and make some money.”

Hold Positive Expectations:
Lucky people expect the best, and their positive outlook becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Optimism becomes your default setting when you consistently practice openness, intuition and resilience. Anticipate the silver lining in every situation and watch more events align in your favor.

Trust these research-backed principles as you embark on a journey to increase your luck. Be open, adventurous, and true to your instincts. Cultivate a resilient attitude, and let positive expectations pave the way. Luck is not a mystery; it’s a practice available to everyone.

Luck is in your hands. Take charge and make 2024 your “luckiest” year yet!

Work Your Authentic Genius.
Which luck principle mentioned above is the toughest for you to implement? Consider improving your “luck” by tackling that one first.

Till next week,

Jo-Aynne Von Born, Leadership and Executive Coach