Embracing Luck: A Guide

Personalize your definition of luck. What does luck mean to you? Your aspirations and dreams serve as the foundation of your perception of 'luck'. While one individual may find luck in acing an exam, another may see it in overcoming cancer, and yet another in achieving their first hole-in-one. Feeling lucky entails recognizing your deepest desires, which vary from person to person. Identifying and magnifying your desires increases your chances of reaching your goals and obtaining what you desire. Luck mirrors your belief in achieving these objectives.

• If you feel unlucky, it may be because you haven't pinpointed your aspirations, what you want from life, and the steps you can take to attain them. The initial stride toward progress is determining your destination.
• For some, it might be wiser to start with a five-year plan, while others may prefer a smaller-scale approach. What do you wish to accomplish today? What are your objectives for Wednesday? Make this a daily ritual.
• Concentrate on endeavors that profoundly enhance your life, not just on a superficial level. You'll amplify your luck by seizing both rare opportunities and smaller chances to fulfill your desires. For instance, if financial security is your aim, trust in your luck to make it a reality. While desiring to win the lottery is understandable—someone has to win, after all!—avoid investing heavily in lottery tickets; instead, seek opportunities to save and invest wisely.
• Feeling unlucky may result from setbacks, delays, or failures in your pursuits. Perhaps you've been laid off or encountered a car accident. Your strawberry harvest might fail. Acknowledge that life comprises more than a continuous string of triumphs. However, by focusing on positive strides (no matter how small), you'll recognize opportunities and reasons to be grateful rather than fixating on setbacks.

Embrace Boldness. Those who perceive themselves as fortunate place themselves in situations where failure is a possibility. It requires courage and a positive mindset that acknowledges failure as a temporary setback. Instead of finding excuses to avoid challenging situations, lucky individuals find reasons to act, confront, and succeed.

• Being bold doesn't equate to recklessness. Have faith in luck, but remember why seat belts exist in vehicles.
• An age-old adage suggests, 'Expecting failure in a situation is the surest way to fail.'
• The 'unlucky' often excel at staying comfortable and safe but achieve little. Put yourself out there and give success a chance. However, be prepared to face the possibility of failure. Eliminating the chance of failure also eliminates the opportunity for success. Say yes instead of no.

View Challenges as Opportunities. Presented with a daunting new responsibility at work? Accept it eagerly. Asked to speak in front of a large audience? Craft a compelling speech. Assigned to pick up a renowned artist from the airport? Strike up a conversation. Treat intimidating moments as opportunities to create your own luck, not as insurmountable obstacles.

• It might sound cheesy, but try pumping yourself up. Create a motivational playlist to listen to before facing challenges. Songs like 'Up Above My Head' by Sister Rosetta Stone have a way of dispelling feelings of misfortune.

Seize Good Fortune. Unlucky individuals attribute good fortune to chance, using it as an opportunity for self-deprecation or excuses. Lucky people capitalize on good fortune, turning it into even more favorable circumstances. In an experiment conducted by Wiseman involving newspapers, the only difference between the lucky and the unlucky was that the lucky ones actively sought advantage, fortune, and luck, while the unlucky, despite having the same opportunities, overlooked them.

Take Charge of Situations. Francis Ford Coppola, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Apocalypse Now and The Godfather, is renowned for his unconventional approach to filmmaking, which is not as unconventional as it seems. When he decides to make a movie, he simply starts making it. No script, no actors, no studio support? No problem. He has an idea and refuses to let anything stand in his way. Respect yourself enough to prioritize your wants and desires over other concerns.

• Instead of wondering whether you'll be allowed to do something, ask yourself, 'Who's going to stop me?' Granting yourself the responsibility to succeed equips you with the ability to do so. Assume control, rather than letting others supposedly prevent you from achieving your desires.
• Don't wait for permission to take action. Seize what you want. At work, don't wait to submit a project proposal for approval; instead, execute your project and showcase the results. Don't delay outlining your book until you receive an advance from a publisher; start writing it immediately.

Trust Your Instincts. Lucky individuals have learned to value their intuitions, hunches, and gut feelings. If you tend to overanalyze situations and find reasons to feel slighted, offended, or unlucky, learn to trust your instincts instead. Go with the flow and watch your luck improve!

• Here's an experiment: The next time you need to make an important decision, make it instantly. Trust your initial gut reaction and resist the urge to second-guess yourself. Just realized you're not in love with your partner? End the relationship now. Suddenly feel compelled to quit your job and volunteer at an organic vineyard for a few months? Submit your resignation. Make it happen.

Put in the Effort. Coppola still had to produce those movies he stumbled upon. That meant countless hours trudging through the jungle in Vietnam, early mornings contending with Marlon Brando's idiosyncrasies, and extensive film editing. But he immersed himself in the process. Plant the seeds of luck through hard work. Work diligently.

• Diligent individuals unlock opportunities and advantages because their outcomes surpass everyone else's. If you're putting in double the effort at work, your output will be twice as impressive, and you'll feel doubly fortunate for achieving it.
• Strive to concentrate on one task at a time and execute it exceptionally well. On Monday, don't fret about the tasks awaiting you later in the week. Try not to dwell on the afternoon's agenda. Focus solely on the present moment and completing what you've started.

Anticipate Good Fortune. Luck befalls those who expect it. Lucky individuals approach situations anticipating success and a favorable outcome. It's akin to grandma's age-old adage: If you believe it'll be dull, it likely will. If you anticipate a challenging day at work, chances are it will be. If you enter an experience anticipating an opportunity for success, you'll manifest it.

• Expecting a fortunate outcome heightens your awareness of advantages and opportunities. Like the fortunate individuals scanning the newspaper, you'll be more attentive and vigilant for that one thing that will propel you ahead, rather than prematurely giving up due to a perceived lack of luck.

Review Your Achievements, Daily. At day's end, reflect on your accomplishments. Each task completed from your to-do list, each daily goal achieved, deserves acknowledgment and a reward. Refrain from dwelling on tasks left undone or activities you wish you had time for. Instead, focus on what you've actually accomplished. Concentrate on your achievements and celebrate them.

• List both significant and minor achievements. Tidying up the kitchen without fuss? That's an achievement. Getting out of bed and commuting to work? A major accomplishment. Embrace gratitude for them.

Acknowledge Victories, Big and Small. Dedicate a moment each day to recognize your accomplishments. It doesn't need to be an elaborate celebration with champagne and cake; rather, indulge in quiet reflection on recent achievements and past successes to foster feelings of gratitude and luck.

• Reflecting on your daily accomplishments aids in propelling you forward and setting the stage for further successes. Cultivate the satisfaction of having accomplished something productive today.
• Ensure your celebrations don't hinder your progress. Commemorating a tough day at work with a long night at the bar won't set you up for an easy tomorrow.

Avoid Comparisons. Comparing ourselves to others, whether it's friends, family, or social media connections, often leads to feelings of inadequacy. Remember, the only person you need to impress is yourself. Feeling inferior because you don't measure up to others only brings about a sense of discontent.

• Social media can be deceptive. People tend to showcase their successes while concealing their struggles. You might envy your friend's glamorous vacation photos, but you're not privy to the arguments they had with their travel companion!
• Instead of dwelling on what others have that you don't, recognize your own strengths. Maybe you envy your friend's artistic talents, but you excel at fixing computers—an equally valuable skill!

Embrace Social Interaction. Putting yourself out there can lead to unexpected opportunities and feelings of luckiness. Approach every encounter, no matter how brief, with openness and optimism. That random conversation on the subway could lead to a life-changing connection. The barista you chat with might turn out to be your soulmate. Seize the moment and don't let potential opportunities slip away.

Stay Flexible. Rigidity breeds disappointment. While no one feels lucky all the time, being adaptable helps you make the best of unexpected situations. Keep your focus on the bigger picture and embrace spontaneity. If your plans get derailed, look for the silver lining and approach the change with positivity.

• Remain focused on the positives. If your relaxing Sunday is interrupted by a friend needing a ride to the airport, view it as an opportunity to spend quality time together before their trip. Approach the situation with enthusiasm and an open mind.

Augment Hard Work with Lucky Charms. While some may view it as superstitious, surrounding yourself with symbols of luck can enhance your sense of good fortune. While it's important not to rely solely on these symbols, there's no harm in feeling lucky when encountering a ladybug or witnessing a positive omen.

Spot Fortunate Creatures. Different cultures ascribe luck to various insects and animals. Keep an eye out for these auspicious creatures:

• Crickets: Considered bearers of good luck in many cultures, including Native American tribes and parts of Asia.
• Ladybugs: Believed to bring good weather and prosperity. Killing a ladybug is considered unlucky.
• Dragonflies, scarabs, rabbits, eagles, tortoises, dolphins, and frogs are also commonly associated with luck. Carry a picture or totem of your favorite animal for added fortune.

Cultivate Lucky Plants. Incorporating plants into your living space not only enhances its beauty but also symbolizes wealth and prosperity in numerous cultures. Some plants believed to bring luck include:

• Honeysuckle, lavender, and jasmine: Known for their soothing scents, believed to influence dreams positively.
• Bamboo: Associated with wealth, creativity, and health. Bamboo forests hold mystical significance in many cultures.
• Basil, rosemary, and sage: Considered protective herbs, useful in cooking and historically used in exorcisms.

Carry Lucky Charms. Keep lucky charms with you for an extra dose of fortune. Whether it's a necklace, rabbit's foot, or a special rock, having a talisman can boost your confidence and attract positive energy.

• Some find solace in 'unlucky' objects like black cats or the number 13. The key is to have objects that resonate positively with you.
• While superstition may not be your thing, having a comforting object can serve as a reminder of fortunate moments or beliefs.

Invoke Luck with Feng Shui. Organizing your living space according to feng shui principles can channel positive energy and promote beneficial behaviors. Follow these tips to create a lucky environment:

• Declutter your entryway to encourage positive energy flow into your home.
• Consider painting your doors according to feng shui principles: red or orange for south-facing doors, and blue or black for north-facing doors.
• Create circular furniture arrangements to facilitate the flow of positive energy throughout your home.

• Being fortunate is about possessing a unique sparkle, a special flair. It doesn't require being cool, exceptional, or extraordinarily skilled. Everyone has a distinctive gift, talent, or quality; you simply need to discover them.
• A single cherished lucky charm holds more significance than countless others. Ensure it holds personal meaning; perhaps it's your favorite color, a gift from your grandma, or a cherished possession. Sentimental value is essential. Monetary value holds no sway when it comes to lucky charms.

• Accept that not everything will unfold according to your desires. Complaining to others about unfavorable circumstances won't improve the situation.