Luck:
Pronunciation: \ˈlək\ Function: noun
1. a: a force that brings good fortune or adversity b: the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual
2 : favoring chance; also: success
3: to prosper or succeed especially through chance or good fortune—usually used with out
4 : to come upon something desirable by chance —usually used with out, on, onto, or into
Lady Luck. We all know her. Celebrated in song, and in film. Wished upon us at the start of a journey or challenge. Prayed for, when we think we need it most. But seriously, what exactly is “Luck?” Beyond that, how does one become “Lucky?”
I’ve been called lucky more times than I could count, or ever want to for that matter. At a marketing event a couple of weeks ago I was asked: “But really man…mufflers in Topeka Kansas 6 years ago…to this? No way! You’ve got to be the luckiest guys ever! I need to take you to Vegas!” Charming fellow, but I couldn’t help but laugh at this guys’ enthusiasm. It was like he found a gold-plated rabbit’s foot wrapped in 20’s or something.
I told him: “First off I don’t gamble. I only bet on myself, that I can control! And second…you make your own luck, you’re not born with it. If that was the case I would’ve been successful a lot sooner than 6 years ago!” I knew he had probably heard that before; it’s not uncommon to hear people say that we make our own “luck.” But for some reason he actually paused, and seemed to think about the actual words. Maybe it was the sincerity with which he heard it, or maybe how I said it (since I really did mean it), but something dawned in him. He looked at me blankly for a second, then he simply responded: “You’re right. I guess I just haven’t been looking.”
“Luck”, at its base, is the essence of opportunity. Circumstances, decisions or relationships that present opportunities for our benefit. So how does one go about recognizing these things? My Vegas (almost) road-buddy hit it right on the head. We have to open our eyes, and Look.
“Lucky” people don’t have any mysterious or magical skills; they are simply adept at noticing, creating and most importantly, ACTING upon chance opportunities. They act on Intuition and are Optimists. They remain Open-Minded in times of struggle or uncertainty, and they maintain this Mindset constantly. If you think about it, simple reason would say: the more opportunities a person encounters (or creates) the more likely one is get favorable results. Right?
Everyday, it becomes easier for us to interact with one another. Ideas, energy and passions are exchanged and discussed. Ideas become reality. And People are actively creating the lives they wanted, helping those in need, inspiring those who are lost. Now, are all these people just “lucky”, or is something else in play? You tell me.
All my best,
Jay Kubassek
