Are you the sort of person that believes in superstitions? Do you cross the road when you catch sight of a black cat? Do you think that by crossing your fingers you can create good outcomes?
Well, while these may seem like eccentric ways to either ward off bad luck or make things go your way, there’s a good chance that you can have at least a modicum of control over whether luck is on your side. That’s because there is more than just a grain of truth in the expression “you make your own luck”.
So, let’s start with that familiar object, the lucky charm. It may be an item of jewelry, an old coin or, if you’re slightly more traditional, a rabbit’s foot. It could even be a ritual that you go through to prepare yourself for what lies ahead. You might be surprised to discover that a number of psychological research projects have found lucky charms do work. This isn’t because they have any innate qualities, but simply by having them it puts us more in the mindset that we’re somewhat ‘protected’ and are, therefore, more likely to succeed.
See it, and it will happen
Positive visualization is a phrase that we all hear on a regular basis, particularly from sportspeople preparing themselves for a big event. While some might dismiss it as wishful thinking, there is a considerable body of evidence that it can be highly effective, In his book, Psycho-Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz explains that what we are effectively doing is tricking our brains into making the unknown, known. And once we have dismissed the fear of the unknown, almost anything is possible.
On an even deeper, more neurological, level we are also resetting our brain’s reticular activating system. This is a filter that tells us what is important to notice and what can be ignored. By acting out positive visualization, it makes us more clearly focused on what really matters.
Practical, positive affirmations
Taking things a little further still, supporting our positive visualizations with positive affirmations can also help to create what we might otherwise refer to as luck. These everyday mantras can be used to shore up our self-confidence as well as to state what we would ideally like to happen. By setting aside a little time each day in a peaceful environment it soon becomes a habit – and once embedded in the psyche, we’re in a great mental state for good things to start happening to us.
Remember, luck does exist
At this point, it might be a good idea to take a quick time out from the advice on making your own luck to acknowledge that luck can really be random and strike when we’re least expecting it. When it does, there’s a real sense of gratification, whether it’s finding that parking spot when there seemed to be no chance, or enjoying a surprise win in an online casino game; the sheer pleasure that these things bring you, no matter how small, really does make you feel like the universe is on our side.
Do unto others . . .
Luck, or our perception of it, also has a great deal to do with the way that the people around us regard how we relate to them. So ace-ing that interview and getting that dream job may not just be a stroke of luck, it will have been a combination of your aptitude for the role and the way you’ve come across to the interview panel. At the most basic level, being polite and considerate will always be more favored qualities than brashness and rudeness.
However, if we broaden things out to include acts like being a good neighbor, and showing forgiveness to people who we think have wronged us in the past, then it becomes a kind of virtuous circle in which good things really do happen to good people.
For a healthy and happy 2020, be sure to follow these pointers, but don’t forget about the importance of easing the pressure off yourself from time-to-time. Remind yourself it’s ok to take a breath, relax, and have a much-needed glass of wine. Keep all this in mind, and you could be on your way to enjoying one of your luckiest years ever.
