"I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often."
- Brian Tracy
So can you learn to be lucky? Based on the quote above, we believe that in many ways, you can. Here are our top three ways...
Say Yes
There are a lot of people talking about the importance of saying no to things. Billionaire Richard Branson prides himself on saying yes: "If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later."
In addition, if there's a conference or training in your industry, go! A new book
to read, get it! A networking event to attend, make it! Say yes to the things that will put you places for "luck" to happen.
Change your Unlucky Mindset
Years ago, I remember, I had just stepped into the line at the post office about a minute before they closed. A minute after
that, another guy got in line behind me and the employee told him they were closed and not taking any more customers. To which the guy shouted, "Story of my life!"
So when things go bad for that guy, he doesn't learn from it or brush it off, he declares it as his life story. Look for the things where you are lucky and be grateful. When you don't catch a break? Don't play the victim. Victims don't
look for luck. They look for the stuff that's going wrong and that is a fast way to get even unluckier.
Create a ROL
You've heard of ROI? It means, Return on Investment. Well, consider ROL,
Return On Luck. It is a phrase coined by author Jim Collins in his book, Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck—Why Some Thrive Despite Them All. He studied the role of luck in the success of companies and found that great companies didn't have any more luck than average companies but they did capitalize on both their good and bad luck.
How can you create a ROL? Capitalize
on your good luck. Don't slow down or get lazy when things are good. Get creative when problems arise (bad luck) and keep moving forward. As Brian Tracy said, show up. And if you're having some bad luck show up even more. Make connections. Build relationships. Work hard. Stay focused on the behaviors you know must happen every day and guess what. You will get a ROL.
