Written by: Sonia Ovenden, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When you hear the word luck, how do you feel? Do you feel excited in the knowledge you already have a good amount, or do you long for more?
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have all the luck? Perhaps it’s a successful colleague or a family member that no matter what, they always come out smelling of roses!
I’ve heard it many times, “you’re so lucky to live where you do” or “you’re so lucky to have an amazing marriage”. And whilst, yes, I’m incredibly grateful for the life I live, it didn’t just fall in my lap.
So, is luck something we can improve, or is it just what it is?
Richard J. Wiseman is a Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has penned several best-selling books, and over time has conducted many experiments, including ones appertaining to luck.
Wiseman claims that whether we are lucky or not, is not down to our conditions or coincidence, but is indeed connected with how people think and behave.
One definition of luck provided by dictionary.com defines it as “the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities.” In essence, it offers “good or ill”, so what makes it good or bad?
So as Wiseman suggests, and here’s the bitter pill, it’s down to us. Everything in this world is neutral until we give it a meaning, for example, it’s good or bad. Whether it’s a story that we’ve been told, the weather, or how we feel at any given time. When a person has a car accident some would say it’s “bad” luck, whilst others may perceive it as “good” luck it wasn’t much worse.
When we recognise that luck is just luck until we choose which way to perceive it, we open more opportunities to see things differently.
Choosing how we perceive things in our lives is an empowering step we can take in all eventualities. Let’s imagine your flight has been delayed by three hours. When you realise this, we can look at it in one of two ways. We can become annoyed, upset, and disappointed that this has happened to us. Or, a lucky person may consider, wow, I’ve just gained three hours back and now I can finish those emails and I won’t need to work when I get home. It’s the same situation, but how we choose to interpret it makes all the difference.
Perhaps consider the last time something happened which was out of your control. What was your reaction? Which lenses did you choose to put on? What other lenses could you have chosen? In asking ourselves these questions we can begin to become more aware of the myriad of options available to us in any given moment.
Now we’ve increased our awareness, here are 4 ways to improve your luck:
1. Clarity
Knowing what we would love in our lives massively improves what many would call our “good” luck. If we don’t know where we’re going, we inevitably miss opportunities which could help us on our chosen venture. Consider what would you love in your life? What would your dream life be like? Be sure to get clear of what it is you’re endeavouring to accomplish and watch opportunities come your way.
2. Get Uncomfortable
Now we have clarity and opportunities begin to appear, there is a strong possibility that we will need to do new things, take new chances, and perhaps even risks. As we become more consciously aware of these opportunities it can feel uncomfortable to step into the unknown, to do something we’ve never done before. In order to bring about the new “good” luck we seek, we must embrace new things – and like a new pair of shoes, it will feel uncomfortable to begin with, but in time it will become more comfortable. We must be willing to be uncomfortable in the pursuit of experiencing growth and new experiences. Ask yourself, how willing are you to get uncomfortable as you adjust to the new norms?
3. Gratitude
Pour gratitude into every eventuality. When we begin to see the good in everything, we begin to attract more goodness. Even if something has not worked out the way you wanted there is something to be grateful for, maybe it’s the lesson of what not to do. Pouring gratitude into what we can is known to create positive and expansive energy, and as such the positive vibes will amplify and be returned to us. Research shows that feeling grateful is one of the top three positive affects we can experience.
Ask yourself, what can you be happy and grateful for right now? Focus on things which you find easy to be grateful for, to begin with and then, stretch yourself to consider the things you are grateful for in the more challenging circumstances. As we begin to see things from a more positive standpoint the energy continues to expand.
4. Open Your Eyes and Look Around
Now we’ve shifted a few things, it’s essential to keep your eyes peeled. With clarity, a willingness to get uncomfortable, and a revived practise of gratitude, make sure to be open to all opportunities around you. Perhaps, it’s a person wanting to connect, or an advertisement for something which speaks to you which you’ve scrolled past many times before. As your intentions are much clearer the possibilities and opportunities are endless, you just have to pay attention and see them for what they are.
And yes, as I mentioned earlier, I am very grateful for my life, and in applying these four steps, I’ve increased my luck exponentially – and I know you can too.
So, today, I invite you to consider how many opportunities have you found and embraced today to move you one step closer to create the life you don’t need a day off from?
Sonia Ovenden, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sonia Ovenden, is a Life Mastery Consultant, a Whole Healing Practitioner and a DreamBuilder® Coach who helps people design and manifest a life they truly love living. For over 25 years, Sonia has been studying and implementing transformational success principles, and as a sought-after trainer, author and certified life coach, Sonia’s masterminds, workshops and coaching programs help people breakthrough limitations and achieve greater results than they’ve known before. She is CEO and founder of Discover the Beauty of You LLC and has featured in Forbes, appeared on UK Radio and mentors’ others in their quest to become a coach. She has written her debut novel, and is a contributing author of the international best selling book, “She Did It! … And So Can You!” Sonia inspires and empowers all those that are drawn to her and her overarching mission is: Discover the Beauty of You, unlock your true potential, achieve outrageous success, and live a life you LOVE living!
