How To Be Lucky in 4 Easy Steps

It’s easy to assume that luck happens accidentally.  That’s bullshit. It doesn’t. Luck happens from a lot behind the scenes work.  For some reason, we are conditioned to believe that luck works like cupid’s arrow to any innocent bystander.  However, when I talk to “lucky” people, they sound exacerbated when the work to lead up to the “luck” isn’t noticed.  CEOs aren’t randomly chosen, companies don’t randomly go public, and strong marriages don’t spontaneously occur in nature.  There is some sort of work that leads up to the luck.

Even lottery winners first set the stage for winning by spending a dollar or two on a ticket.

I also receive commentary on being a victim of “luck.”  When I come across acquaintances or even relatives, there is this nonsense of, “Wow, you’re so lucky, the rest of work so hard and you simply waltz into opportunities.”  While I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut and smile, that commentary certainly pisses off my mother and husband. They see the exhaustion, worry about the work ethic, are saddened by the failures, and are sometimes annoyed by the constant search for more opportunities.

If there is one thing I know for certain, there is exactly as much opportunity in the world as you’re willing to work for.  That’s it.

My maddening quest for “luck” has a different approach.  From having a background in several fields, I have learned that you can’t look for an industry, you must look for the opportunity.   Opportunity is a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.  The way I look at it is that what works in one field, if looked at from a different perspective, may work for another too.  This helps in making efficient processes when managing several different companies. My example is having a background in dentistry, then being pushed into the world of hospitality.  While both seem very far apart, both are services for people in sensitive times of their lives – physical pain or a vacation that needs to be perfect. So, there was a lot of crossover in implementing best practices.

When this is applied to younger professionals, it’s a different ballgame.  Some look for a job to solve their problems. No parent is going to disagree that you need a job, but you also need opportunity.  Speaking to students in any program, they don’t really know what opportunity means, they will just be looking for a job next summer. The truth is, an opportunity will solve your problems. Here are four tips to find your opportunity:

1. Look for opportunity.

Before you can see an opportunity, you must look for it. This seems obvious, but many people don’t even bother looking. The saying, “You wouldn’t see an opportunity if it hit you in the face,” comes from living with eyes closed to opportunity. Opportunity can literally be right where you are but you’re blind to it.  A great parable on this topic is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Cuelo.

2. Be willing to do your homework.

They say knowledge is power, and it’s true. You won’t find opportunity without knowledge.  Everything you ever want, you are just a piece of knowledge away from obtaining. The only thing between you and massive wealth is the right knowledge.  Looking at the other side of the coin, not doing your homework can also be very expensive. Failure can be a very expensive lesson if it happens from not knowing what you’re doing.

3. Be a warrior.

You must leave where you are comfortable. I call it going to war.  Staying with mommy and daddy past the age of 30 isn’t going to work, sorry.  Opportunity might mean moving out of state or even across the country. Maybe, you’ll need a passport for your opportunity. The point is, the opportunity may not be where you are because you might be a big fish in a small pond.

4. Make friends.

While on the topic of being a big fish, do yourself a favor, when you find that you’re a big fish, GET MOVING!  Actively look for even bigger fish, then learn how to become one. Everything you want, somebody else has it. Contacts equal contracts. How big is your power base? How big is your pipeline? The more people you know, the more opportunities will come your way. There’s a reason why successful network marketers make a lot of money -- they prospect.

Your next opportunity might just be with someone you don’t even know yet. You need to go out and meet them.  Go be the friendliest you that you can possibly be.

Slap on a smile and go make friends.

Each of of these four essentials -- looking for opportunity, doing your homework, being a warrior, or making friends -- requires effort on your part.  When I’m exhausted and just can’t push myself anymore, these are some things I say to myself, maybe you can relate.

Everyone wants to have a great body, but don’t want to put in the time.

Everyone wants to retire early, but not save to get there.

Everyone wants to be the boss but won’t go out on their own.

Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.

I will add to this, “Everyone wants to be lucky but won’t ____.”

What’s your excuse?