Luck Isn’t Something You’re Born with, It’ Something You Create: Learn How to Shape Your Destiny with These Expert Tips by British Psychologist Richard Wiseman
There are two types of people: those who always find the right opportunities at the perfect moment, leading successful careers, finding ideal partners, and enjoying comfortable, happy lives. And then there are those who seem to forget their umbrella when it rains, struggle to find decent jobs, and constantly end up with the wrong people.
Conventional wisdom suggests that some people are naturally lucky while others are not, and there’s nothing we can do about it. In our culture, luck is often seen as a capricious force that randomly bestows wealth or misfortune. It’s treated as fate, an unpredictable entity that governs human affairs independently of our own actions.
But is that really the case? That’s precisely what Richard Wiseman, a British psychologist and researcher, set out to investigate. After studying two groups of people—those considered lucky and those deemed unlucky—Wiseman concluded that luck is primarily an attitude. It’s the result of a series of actions that lucky individuals take, often unconsciously. By observing their behavior, he identified four principles of luck and developed practical advice based on these principles, which helped the “unlucky” participants in the study improve their luck.
The good news is that luck can be learned! So, if you’re seeking a way to turn your life around, consider implementing these ten tips inspired by Wiseman’s principles:
1. Build and nurture relationships
Be sociable. Show genuine curiosity about others, meet new people, deepen existing connections, and stay in touch. Lucky people maintain strong networks, and it’s often through these relationships that opportunities arise. Meaningful connections not only enhance your life but also provide support during difficult times.
2. Practice responsible risk-taking
If you never step out of your comfort zone, you’ll never truly discover your potential. Trying new experiences inherently involves some level of risk, but not all risks are equal. When a favorable opportunity presents itself, don’t be afraid to seize it. Lucky people tend to win more often because they are willing to try. In contrast, those who feel unlucky often give up prematurely.
3. Help others
Lucky individuals don’t hoard their wealth; instead, they generously contribute their time and resources. Giving to others reminds us of our own fortune, and these acts of kindness can unexpectedly come back to us in the future.
4. Visualize your goals
Envisioning a positive outcome increases the likelihood of achieving it. If you have a specific goal, visualize the path to success and the steps required to reach it in great detail.
5. Embrace failure
Even lucky people experience setbacks. However, what sets them apart is their ability to accept failure and persist until they achieve a positive outcome. Failures serve as opportunities for self-reflection and learning from mistakes. On the contrary, those who attribute negative events solely to luck tend to repeat their errors.
6. Maintain a positive outlook
We all face challenging situations at some point. However, our attitude in these moments can make a significant difference. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, try focusing on the positive aspects of unpleasant situations. Adopting a mindset of “it could have been worse” or “I was lucky” can help you move forward more easily. Conversely, if you fixate on the problem, it will seem insurmountable, and negativity will persist.
7. Trust your intuition
Lucky individuals often possess a strong sense of what is best for them, which decisions to make, and whom to trust. They have honed their intuition through practices like meditation. Pay closer attention to your thoughts, be aware of your sensations, and follow your instincts.
8. Pursue new experiences
Allow yourself to be surprised by chance at times. Be curious and engage with people you believe you have nothing in common with. Explore activities outside your usual comfort zone. These experiences foster an open mind, enable you to embrace new ideas, and facilitate a shift in perspective. Most importantly, they make life far more exciting.
9. Create your own luck
The concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy highlights the influence of our beliefs on reality, both positively and negatively. Lucky people have confidence in their good fortune and are willing to work hard to achieve their vision of success.
10. Live in the present
Relax and pay attention to what’s happening around you. When you feel anxious, you often become consumed by the task at hand or your worries, losing sight of the broader environment. Who knows how many opportunities you’ve missed due to this narrow focus?
You have the power to create your own luck. It’s a concept that seems straightforward, but how many of us truly embrace it at our core? There’s a part of you that may often be inclined to attribute negative events to fate as a way to find comfort and avoid taking responsibility. However, the real breakthrough happens when you recognize this tendency and make a conscious decision to seize full control of your own destiny. While it may take some initial effort to shift your mindset, over time, it becomes second nature—a natural process that paves the way for a more fulfilling, rewarding, and happier life. And the best part? It doesn’t cost a thing to give it a shot!
Source: “The Luck Factor: The Scientific Study of the Lucky Mind” – Richard Wiseman
