How To Increase Your Good Luck

"Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered."

William Shakespeare

Are you a lucky person? Or are you someone to whom catastrophe often happens? According to Professor Richard Wiseman in his book The Luck Factor, you can become luckier through changing your thoughts and behaviour.

Professor Wiseman conducted research with 400 volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds. He explored why some people seemed to lead charmed lives full of lucky breaks, while others experience one disaster after another.

He found that lucky people generate their own good fortune. He used the principles he found as the basis for a Luck School. 80% of those who participated increased their level of luck, happiness and success.

"Being deeply learned and skilled, being well trained and using well spoken words; This is good luck"

Buddha

In my independent survey of lucky people, I have noticed certain characteristics they demonstrate. Here I combine Professor Wisemen's findings with my own observations:

1. RESILIENT ATTITUDE

Resilience champions seem to have been a theme this week on the Living page. Both Dr Judith Rich's Lessons In Resilience and Dr Cara Barker's What To Do When Someone You Love Is Hurting embrace the topic.

Lucky people adopt a resilient attitude that transforms "bad" luck into good. They find the good in a bad situation, realizing how a circumstance could be much worse. More than that, they see opportunity coming out of a negative experience. These attitudes help them to keep their expectations about the future high, and increase the likelihood of continuing to live a lucky life.

"Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known."

Garrison Keillor

2. INTENTION

"Luck is what happens
when preparation meets opportunity."

Seneca

Consider what you really want for yourself. Positive expectations lead to self-fulfilling prophesies.

Cultivate the language of positive expectation. Get away from talking about how bad everything is, and anticipating the next disaster in life's soap opera. Assume that good will come from the most difficult of events. It will. In time.

Visualize: imagine the best outcomes you wish to take place. Expect the best.

The energy of intention is beautifully illustrated in James Lynch's post this week: Finding Your Passion Statement

"Luck affects everything; let your hook always be cast; in the stream where you least expect it, there will be a fish"

Ovid

3. INTUITION

"Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer."

Unknown

Make lucky decisions, based on your intuitive guidance. Listen to, and evaluate what you hear inwardly with an open mind. With practice, you may discover that spontaneous decisions are well rewarded. It is possible to fulfil a very good life based on the inner resource of your intuition. I know people who do.

"A person does not seek luck; luck seeks the person"

Turkish Proverb

4. OPENNESS

Be available for chance opportunities; a new business venture, your life partner, the journey of a lifetime. Lucky people consistently encounter such opportunities because they are open to them. Anxiety and tension decrease your vision, in every sense.

Learn to relax, notice and enjoy the world around you. Be amazed. One summer I spent a few minutes studying a lavender plant. How was it growing like that, producing flowers with that extraordinary scent? How did that happen?

Let go of attachments to life having to be exactly the way you want. Allow the space for what you envisage to evolve into something much better than you could ever have imagined. This saying opens the way to the best outcomes:

"This or something greater for the highest good of all."

"My luck is getting worse and worse. Last night, for instance, I was mugged by a quaker."

Woody Allen

Tell the people you love that you love them. Making these important connections can lift you into a new world of possibility and freedom. Share the best of yourself. Experience joy in the giving.

Celebrate the beauty of the present moment. Breathe deeply, drop your shoulders, smile. Right now, you could be blessed with an idea that transforms the quality of your life, and the lives of others.

"Dance under the stars of life and feel infinity flow through you."

Davide de Angelis

5. ACTION

Good luck does not necessarily just happen. You may not know that a person who is "lucky" has been applying themselves to an objective for some time.

Many of Professor Wiseman's lucky participants went to considerable lengths to introduce variety and change into their lives. Doing so increased the number of chance opportunities they encountered.

Before making an important decision, try constantly altering your route to work. Disrupt a routine and have fun doing things differently: get out of bed on the other side; reverse your car into the garage, instead of driving it in forwards; spend an evening with the tv switched off. Go to a new place on vacation. Meet unusual people. Read a different newspaper. Random experiences introduce the potential for new opportunities.

"Nature creates ability; luck provides it with opportunity."

François de la Rochefoucauld

Have you been blessed with good fortune? Do you know lucky people? What does "good luck" mean for you?

"Be lucky, mate."

Cockney greeting

I would love to hear from you, either as a comment here or contact me at [e-mail].

Comments

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Anne,

I just love what you have created here! You've given us all some vital touchstones, that get richer with each new visit. Bless you!

By the way, after the past two weeks since the term 'Resilience Champions' popped through my writing, I've decided to do a book on the subject. I'd love to hear from you or any in your circle who have a story of such a person! My column will come out this Wednesday, entitled "Living Love in a World Overflowing with Fear." Come by for a visit.

In Joy and Peace,
Cara

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Cara,

Thank you so much for coming by with your kind words. It is wonderful that you are going to be writing a book on Resilience Champions.

I look forward to reading your column on Wednesday. Living love is a pretty remarkable way of being. I feel as though one dream is being dismantled, and another one is on the ascendant. The signs are there - but you have to look for them - then join them!

Huge blessings of grace and serenity to you,
Anne

[allenels]

For most of the last fifteen years I have been able to practice your suggestions. Unfortunately, life sometimes keeps dealing people blow after blow and if the blows continue unrelentingly it becomes more than a challenge to stay positive. People at this tine are taking unprecedented losses; jobs, homes, retirements funds and often even loved ones. Perhaps positive thought can rescue us from the depths of uncertainty but the grinding reality that has become the nom for millions of people almost cancels out hope for a better tomorrow.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear allenels

I appreciate very much your voice, which I am sure is felt by so many others at this time. The challenge as I see it is to find not just positive thinking, but a fresh positive focus, a new aim that might be quite different than any you have had in the past.

None of this is easy. However, the human spirit, which we all have is quite amazing. I have seen people come through circumstances you would think are totally hopeless, and yet find new meaning and purpose, greater than they had before.

May you find fresh hope, contentment and peace of mind.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[ditchdigger]

i was taken by this article.i have had a string of bad luck.my positive attitude,has diminished.i will try again.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

ditchdigger

Thank you very much for your comment. I think it is a tremendous test in life to pick yourself up one more time after you fall, and harder to do it alone. I hope you may find some support around you, and discover new strength and a fresh focus for your life.

With warmest good wishes to you,
Anne

[louisamast]

Although I have experienced some luck by focusing and concentrating in my favorable event, I still think it is mostly a random phenomena. There are however ways to increase the chance of this random event. I have a cousin who practically lacks all the points mentioned in this post and I still consider him very lucky. He does do one thing. He is great risk taker.

[FrankinSac]

Of course it's a random phenomena. The idea is to create an atmosphere where that "randomness" happens more often as you say in your next sentence. As is said, "If you don't play, you can't win."

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear FrankinSac

This matches my experience of how it seems to happen.

Thank you very much for your comment!

Blessings to you,
Anne

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for your comment, louisamast.

I understand what you mean about randomness. And there seems to be something about daring to risk. In my experience, when risk has been guided by "gut feel" then it has often worked out well.

I appreciate your thoughts!

Joy and blessings to you,
Anne

[Doorsabiertos]

Thank you for another great post! I have been so fortunate in my life to have had so many wonderful experiences and opportunities, some would call me lucky and/or fortunate. While I do agree there has been a certain amount of "luck" in my life, more than anything I feel I have been fortunate in pursuing my dreams. I have a good friend who doesn't seem to be as lucky, really, there seems to be an almost constant string of unfortunate incidents that happen to her. I love her dearly, but it seems that she thinks she deserves such things and is damned no matter what. I have tried to share my love, my energy, and my strength with her, but with little luck of it transferring the way I had hoped. She seems to be in a place where things are starting to change, ie...she is changing and reshaping her life, what else can I do to reinforce these positive outlooks in her life?
In a couple of months I will be moving back to the states, jobless, but optimistic about my possibilities. I have several ideas and projects in mind, some of which hopefully will bring me enough money to pay my bills. I do feel like I am going to need a good amount of luck to pull these things off. So thank you for your post, I will keep these in mind as I move forward.
Much love and smiles!!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Daer Doorsabiertos

Thank you very much for your comment and thoughts.

About your friend, if she is "she is changing and reshaping her life", then you may encourage and support her in the steps she is taking. As much as we love another person, we can never really do it for them. You may offer suggestions, then it is up to her to act on them or not. Your caring for her may give her the confidence to try new things and live her life differently.

I wish you much joy in your relocation, with wonderful opportunities coming your way!

With love and blessings,
Anne

[Sheri Jacobson]

Dear Anne,
A really good article and I'm very glad to have discovered your posts!
I feel that many people are endowed with better luck than others. With illness and cancer especially, the contributing genetic & environmental factors can seem like very bad luck.
On the other hand, even the most objectively 'unlucky' people would not be well-served by considering themselves as such - it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
So as difficult as it is, it seems most helpful, if we can, to count our blessings and focus on the 'luck' that we do have.
Sheri Jacobson, Psychotherapist http://www.harleytherapy.co.uk

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Sheri,

Thank you very much for commenting here! What a joy to see you.

I know what you mean about some people being endowed with better luck than others. What I find fascinating is how by birth or circumstance, some "unlucky" people have nevertheless turned their lives around in remarkable ways.

A good friend who died 10 days ago (she was 80) had the most horrific traffic accident about 25 years ago. Her life since then was truly remarkable. She lived "beyond" luck and was radiantly warm and joyful. She had transformed the circumstances of her life and was loved and adored by all who knew her.

I totally agree with you about counting our blessings and focussing on the good fortune we do have - I find it makes a huge difference to my experience and outlook generally.

I really appreciate your thoughts.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[smallbirdie]

i read somewhere on another website that generosity increases the luck factor. i'm not very comfortable with the idea of intent now though but I guess it's the "give and yea shall receive"..thank you for your interesting article.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear smallbirdie

Thank you for commenting. I think generosity has a way of increasing a sense of openness to life, and therefore to receiving more from it. As you say - give and receive. My understanding is that giving and receiving are one cycle. In giving, you receive; in receiving you also give.

With best wishes to you,
Anne

[nantucketsunset]

As you are mentioning related posts that have appeared in recent days on this website, don't forget Larry Dossey's two entries on intuition (premontion).
---
Your last point reminded me of Seinfeld's George, who suddenly had oodles of good luck when he decided to do everything "the opposite" of how he'd always done it before.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear nantucketsunset

Thank you for mentioned Larry Dossey's articles. I found them very inspiring. There are many really good articles on the Living page.

Being something of a rebel, I am also fortunately a free spirit and have found the value in doing things differently. Eventually, that has always paid off - and certainly at the very least, made for a very interesting life - so far!

Many blessings to you,
Anne

[James M. Lynch - Huffpost Blogger]

Anne,
Thanks for a great article and for mentioning my piece on 'Passion Statement'. I found a lot in your article that hit home for me. I used to object to 'luck' as a reason for results because I was working so hard for what I got. Then I got it (aha!) that it really was true -- you can create your luck. I gave in, allowed the results of the hard (now I use 'intentional') work AND the luck and everything else. It became a 'flow' and the way I 'steer' my life every day. In my coaching process I invite people into this by asking them to be a 'yes', to accept what they can in each moment. Now I can also share your piece with them -- and I will.

I'm heading out today for my copy of 'The Luck Factor' too!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello James,

Thank you very much for showing up here. It is amazing how often fellow bloggers seem to touch into similar or related themes. We do share similar intentions I think.

I very much appreciate your sharing this post with others you think may benefit from it. My intention is to keep raising the value I offer to readers and I am trusting in the flow that will be permitting me to do just that.

I love what you say about inviting your clients to be a 'yes' and accept what life presents to them. That strikes me as being very wise.

Wishing you all the more Good Luck!!

Anne

[Jonahson]

A winning golfer once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

I so agree with you, Jonahson. Thank you very much for your comment. The fortunate ones are often very committed to their objectives - although we may not see the works while in progress.

Warm good wishes to you,
Anne

[FrankinSac]

Yes... I think it's called Persistence!!! That is the 'Intention" you spoke of.

[cke]

Paying close attention to surroundings is a key way to increase luck. You can't take advantage of it if you can't see it happening.

Another thing to think about: we can be a key instrument in the luck of others. If you can see a situation happening to someone else that you can tip in to a beneficial outcome for then, then you become that cosmic luck source.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear cke

Thank you for your comment - I love the idea of becoming a "cosmic luck source". What a great image! I also think you are right on in saying that paying close attention to surroundings is a key way to increase luck.

I find that what you have shared here is very expansive - and much appreciated. We can each of us have a large impact on co-creating positive outcomes for ourselves and others.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Min421]

everyone wants to be a lucky person. I never thought that we could be lucky people by chaging our thoughts and behavior. I have heard someone said that good luck is only for the people who are ready. i think it is the same thing just like what you said. you mentioned some characterisitics that make people to have good luck, which is resilient attitude, intention, intuition, openness, and action. I think most people cannot have all of those characterisitics. That's why there are only a few lucky people. To me, the hardest one is resilient attitude. usually, when I have negative experience, I would be afraid when I do the same thing next time. I am not a really optimistic person. therefore, when I was in a negative circumstance, I would be very frustrated.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for your comment, Min42. The study I mentioned showed that many of the volunteers were able to adopt a more resilient attitude, which made a big difference to them. I think adopting a resilient attitude may be one of those things that with practice, taking small steps at a time, can change a person's "luck". It might be worth trying out as an experiment, and see what happens.

Wishing you plenty of good luck in the future!
Anne

[provgrays]

Good luck is impervious to bromides.

[gbrooks]

Only thing you forgot is "standards." Without standards for yourself and others, you accept mediocrity.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear gbrooks

Thank you for your comment. I daresay I have forgotten several points worth mentioning. And yes, standards for yourself and others - what I would also call values - make a huge difference to the quality of life lived. There is something about integrity and being true to yourself that I think makes a big difference to "good fortune".

Warmest regards to you,
Anne

[gbrooks]

Same to you Anne.

The period in which I had the worst "luck" was when I was feeling low about myself and lowered my standards. Looking back, I can say with certainty if I had maintained my own personal convictions and integrity, those toxic people and toxic events never would have occurred. I try not to beat myself up over it and learn from it.

Thanks for the article, I really enjoyed it. Happy mother's day, if applicable!

[JillinPittsburgh]

Fans of Northern Exposure will remember the following:

The Warrior

[There was] a warrior who had a fine stallion. Everyone said how lucky
he was to have such a horse.

"Maybe" he said.

One day the stallion ran off. The people said the warrior was unlucky.

"Maybe" he said.

The next day the stallion returned, leading a string of fine ponies.
The people said it was very lucky.

"Maybe" the warrior said.

Later, the warrior's son was thrown from one of the ponies and broke
his leg. The people said it was unlucky.

"Maybe" the warrior said.

The next week, the chief lead a war party against another tribe. Many
young men were killed. But, because of his broken leg, the warrior's
son was left behind, and so was spared.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear JillinPittsburg

Thank you very much for sharing this story. It is so very apt!

Blessings to you,
Anne