Getting Lucky on Your Way to the Top

  Do you feel lucky? 
  Originally uploaded by salgada.

You can work hard, become an expert in your field, make great connections, be likeable, attractive, authenic, disciplined, and determined.

But probably the most elusive and sought after ingredient in success is the quality of "luckiness".

We all know people who seem to lead charmed lives, and their excessive good fortune is sometimes perplexing to folks who take more than their fair share of battering against fate's brutal shores.

The million dollar question is--if you don't consider yourself lucky, is there any way you can manipulate the stars?

Dr. Richard Wiseman, head of psychology research at the University of Hertfordshire in England and author of the book "The Luck Factor" says that although some people definitely appear to be more fortunate than others, people aren't born lucky.

Dr. Wiseman says that folks who seem to lead charmed lives are simply unconsciously following 4 essential principles that we all can learn:

Principle One: Maximize Chance Opportunities
Lucky people are skilled at creating, noticing and acting upon chance opportunities. They do this in various ways, including networking, adopting a relaxed attitude to life and by being open to new experiences.

Principle Two: Listening to Lucky Hunches
Lucky people make effective decisions by listening to their intuition and gut feelings. In addition, they take steps to actively boost their intuitive abilities by, for example, meditating and clearing their mind of other thoughts.

Principle Three: Expect Good Fortune
Lucky people are certain that the future is going to be full of good fortune. These expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies by helping lucky people persist in the face of failure, and shape their interactions with others in a positive way.

Principle Four: Turn Bad Luck to Good
Lucky people employ various psychological techniques to cope with, and often even thrive upon, the ill fortune that comes their way. For example, they spontaneously imagine how things could have been worse, do not dwell on the ill fortune, and take control of the situation.

Dr. Wiseman's research is empowering, and I can totally see what he's saying, but there are some people who seem to be kissed with luck that goes beyond what these 4 principles encompass. One example is Andy and his media magnet self.

*Strip Tease Meme--the choice of photo for this post was inspired by Gavin's post about procrastination over at Servant of Chaos. I think we should all try to work images of strip teases into our blogs as often as we can ;-). Perhaps this could be a new meme...You tag 5 other bloggers and they must figure out a way to naturally work a photo of someone doing a strip tease into one of their regular posts. I love that! I wonder if anyone would play...

Comments

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

Hmmm...strip teases here in Marrakesh might be esp. tricky. I think I will try to get lucky with all my clothes on:-)

[Sharon Sarmiento]

Yes, it's a rather daring meme--I don't know how many other bloggers would be into it, but it would definetly spice things up!

I'm not going to tag anyone--if there are any bloggers who are brave and daring enough to take this challenge on, please chime in!

Maryam--you get a free pass on this one. Your blog is exotic enough and doesn't need any spicing up ;-).

[Gavin Heaton]

Ha ha ... now this is a meme worth being involved in! I will take that challenge ... but you will be sorry!

[Sharon Sarmiento]

Of all the bloggers, I knew that the daring Servant of Chaos would be up for the challenge, and I truly look forward to seeing what you come up with.

I bet you'll give Violet Blue a run for her money! :-)

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

Eeek. (Hands over my eyes but still peeking through.) Now this should be interesting:-)

[Gavin Heaton]

It is bound to be way more frightening for you than for me ... or is it the other way around?

[Mack Collier]

Now THAT is a worthy meme to support ;) Lets hope it 'takes off' even more than the Z-List did!

[Sharon Sarmiento]

Oh, in my dreams, Mack! Somehow the strip tease meme isn't taking off in the same way the Z-List has. I wonder why? (kidding!)

I dare Seth Godin to try to turn THIS meme into a Squidoo lens!;-)

[Mack Collier]

LOL! Now THAT would be a great Squidoo page, with the ability to vote up or down your favorite teases ;)

Besides, AdRants has the flesh pics on a blog market covered!