Creating Your Own Luck

Have you ever noticed how some people just seem lucky? Opportunities fall into their laps, chance encounters turn into new adventures, and even their mistakes somehow work out for the best. The truth is, luck isn’t just random good fortune; it’s a skill we can develop.

Lucky people look for opportunities, ask questions, and act on the unexpected. Often, what seems like a setback or mistake can lead to new opportunities, if we stay open and curious. The discoveries of penicillin and Post-it Notes are classic examples: both began as accidents that creative people reframed and turned into successes.

In The Serendipity Mindset, Christian Busch identifies 3 steps for cultivating this kind of intentional luck:

1. Notice unexpected events – Slow down, stay curious, and keep an open-mind. When something unexpected happens, don’t dismiss it. Instead, pause and ask what opportunity it might present. Sometimes we get lucky because we are paying attention.

One day, I was seated next to a woman I didn’t know at a luncheon. During our conversation, she mentioned that her daughter had just gotten married. I told her that our son was engaged, and she immediately began talking about how wonderful their wedding planner had been. I hadn’t even started thinking about wedding planning yet, but I asked if she would mind sharing the planner’s contact information. My son and his fiancée ended up hiring her, and she made the entire process so much smoother. The wedding turned out beautifully!

2. Connect the dots – Look for ways the unexpected might relate to your goals or interests. Share your ideas and intentions with others; new connections and insights often emerge in conversation.

Years ago, while waiting to have my car serviced, I struck up a conversation with the woman sitting next to me. When I mentioned I was writing a book on well-being, she told me she had recently published a book herself. She offered to introduce me to her publisher, which turned out to be an incredible stroke of luck. That chance encounter led me one step closer to becoming a published author.

3. Act on possibilities – Serendipity favors those who take action. When something sparks your interest, don’t let the moment pass. Follow up, explore, and see where the unexpected might take you.

Soon after we moved to Virginia, I ran into a neighbor at the grocery store. She told me she’d just finished a barre class. I had no idea what that was, but when she invited me to join her the next week, I decided to give it a try. I was hooked! The classes not only became a fun new routine but also made a real difference in my fitness level.

Serendipity often starts as something small, a fleeting comment or random invitation. We get lucky based on how we respond. When we stay open, connect our experiences, and take action, we begin to notice opportunities everywhere.