Have you ever had a friend who is always in the right place at the right time? That friend who gets amazing opportunities, wins random giveaways, or gets unexpected advantages wherever they go? You might wonder: are they just lucky, or is there something more at play? The reality is, luck isn’t just a chance occurrence of the universe—it’s all about psychology, perception, and habit. Some people are just born luckier than others, and science has a lot to say why.
What Is Luck, Really?
Luck is generally considered something mystical or beyond our control, but psychologists argue that it’s largely a matter of attitude and behavior. Dr. Richard Wiseman, a psychologist who has spent decades studying luck, found that lucky people share certain characteristics that make them open to good things. These include an optimistic attitude, a willingness to take risks, and an ability to go with the flow.
How Your Mindset Determines Your Luck
The largest contributor to feeling lucky is actually your mindset. If you feel you’re lucky, you notice more opportunities. However, if you feel unlucky, your mind filters out the good times, making you even more convinced that nothing goes your way.
As an example, there are two people who both missed the morning bus. One says, “Sure enough! I always seem to have rotten luck!” but the other goes another route only to encounter a friend that they haven’t seen in ages and that individual offers them an incredible job opportunity. Not the event determines the luck here but how they responded to it.
The Role of Risk-Taking and Open-Mindness
Successful people are usually those who venture out of their comfort zones. They tend to take more risks, encounter new individuals, and try various avenues. It doesn’t mean they play recklessly—it means they are open to options.
Think about networking events. If you approach them with trepidation and a closed mind, you might leave feeling like nothing good came from it. But if you approach with curiosity, meet new individuals, and stay open-minded, you might find that you click with someone who will transform your professional life.
How to Cultivate More Luck in Your Life
If you find yourself getting the feeling that luck just strikes everyone else except you, don’t worry—you can make your mind luckier. Here are a few down-to-earth techniques to alter your mindset and bring more lucky opportunities your way:
- Alter Your Self-Talk։Replace phrases such as, “I never get anything,” and start saying, “I welcome wonderful opportunities.” The words that you speak around yourself create reality. When your mind believes that it’s lucky, it starts looking for evidence.
- Be More Social and Open to Conversations։The majority of good coincidences are brought about by social interaction. Meeting a friendly person at a coffee shop for small talk can develop into a business connection. You can test your courage by engaging in small talk if you’re shy; it may create wonderful opportunities.
- Stay Curious and Learn New Skills։Luck favors the prepared mind. The more skills and knowledge you have, the more opportunities you are able to notice. If you’ve always wanted to create presentations with AI , learn a new language, or start a side business, now’s the moment to do it. The more you know, the more luck you’ll have.
- Trust Your Intuition։Sometimes, luck is simply about believing your gut. The majority of successful people attribute their breakthroughs to listening to an intuition or taking an impromptu detour. Listen to those soft murmurs—they could lead you to lucky spots.
- Keep a Luck Journal։Make a note of three lucky things that happen to you each night. Worry not that they’re monumental—a pleasant stranger holding the door open for you, finding a lost $5 bill, or receiving a free cup of coffee is all good. Over time, doing this conditions your mind to notice lucky events.
You Have More Control Over Luck Than You Know
While luck is definitely a measure of randomness, a lot of it is also attitude, willingness, and doing. By altering your attitude, being more adaptable, and creating opportunities for yourself, you will find that luck is not only something that occurs but something that you can cultivate. So when you find yourself saying, “I wish I were luckier,” remember that the power is yours to make. Who knows? Your next good luck may be just around the corner.
