Luck is the phenomenon and belief that every success or failure seems to be the product of chance rather than one’s own actions.
Have you ever known someone who seemed blessed with the ability to excel at everything they tried? Perhaps an athlete who effortlessly excels or a student who you think rarely studies but consistently comes out with good grades. In the business world, this lucky individual, always seemed to have the right answers or the ability to immediately solve any problem, no matter how complex. Did you find it difficult to comprehend why these people can breeze through life, seemingly without any effort? Why are they so ‘lucky’ while we have to grind our way to a value adding life?
I love this quote, attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca; “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
This quote suggests that, for you to be lucky, you have a lot to play in the outcome of your life.
Most people want to be successful. They express a desire to grow as a person, to earn a higher salary, to get a promotion and perhaps even gain entry into a tertiary institution. When pressed, some are able to bring forth the effort necessary to succeed. Some, however, seem to be lacking in zeal and utter resolve to excel. They would rather be one of the “Lucky Ones.”
Having closely observed the so called “Lucky People”, I noticed some things they tend to do very well, I will share with you three (3) things ‘Lucky People’ do very well.
1. Awareness
Firstly, “Lucky People” are very aware of their immediate environment and beyond. They are up to date with trends and keep tab of happenings around them, as a result they are able to quickly grab opportunities when they come.
They are adept at generating, recognizing and acting on unexpected opportunities. They do this in a variety of ways, including developing and sustaining a stable network, adopting a relaxed but deliberate attitude to life and being open to new experiences.
2. Hard work
“Lucky People” work extremely hard. Believe it or not, a lot of work goes on behind-the-scenes to create the tremendous results and successes we see and celebrate in people. After seizing opportunities, “Lucky People” stop at nothing to maximize these opportunities to achieve their desired success.
A couple of years back, a world-class golfer Jack Nicklaus was asked how lucky he felt at being so successful. His reply was that the more he practised, the luckier he got! How true is that? Belief, determination and motivation are fundamental features of strategies successful people exhibit.
3. Resilience
Finally, “Lucky People” are resilient and persistent. They are great at staying headstrong even when faced with a difficult situation. They don’t let negativity set in, even when others are laid back, they don’t give up. They keep pushing with or without motivation. They don’t stop.
Athletes are great examples of people who tenaciously keep on going, refusing to allow a negative outcome to deter their resolve. If you ever think about a high jumper, they only know they’ve achieved the limit of their ability when they fail to clear a jump, and fail repeatedly. They keep on trying, believing that they will succeed, until they either clear the height (when they will again raise the bar), or fail and keep on going until they’re unable to continue anymore. “Lucky People” know how to brush the dust off and look for a new angle to approach their problems and challenges.
But Hey! Nobody is born lucky, so cut yourself some slack. Successful people are just great at maximising the resources they are given – you too can be lucky if you follow those three tips I shared; be aware of your environment, work extremely hard and be persistent. If you do that, you will live a value-adding life.
Remember, You Have Only One Life to Live, MAKE IT COUNT!
