The Surprising Link Between Attitude, Superstition and Luck
Send to KindleDo you know somebody who is “lucky” in everything they do in life?
Do you ever wonder why it seems as though some people get all the breaks? They have great relationships … more money than they’ll ever need … happily going from one great opportunity to the next, and even when they do stumble, they always manage to turn the ‘problem’ into yet another opportunity?
Then there are others who, no matter how hard they try, seem to attract nothing but hardship and bad luck. They never seem to be able to catch a break. They go from bad relationship to bad relationship; living from paycheck to paycheck, having to put out one fire after another.
Could it be true then that some people are simply born lucky and others not?
UK Professor Richard Wiseman, author of The Luck Factor and reigning expert on ‘luck,’ invested over a decade researching and conducting a variety of experiments to determine whether luck is merely chance or if there are things we can do to become luckier in life.
Teaming up with the British Association for the Advancement of Science Professor Wiseman carried out a large scale study surveying 4,000 people to examine the psychology of luck and his findings are enlightening as well as encouraging.
Who are the lucky and how are they different?
Lucky people are generally more relaxed and therefore tend to notice more around them. Unlucky people tend to be anxious and narrowly focused and therefore tend to miss things. As a result, lucky people are not only able to see and respond to positive opportunities, but they’re also able to see and take steps to avoid dangerous situations, more so than those who are unlucky.
Lucky people tend to smile more. They tend not only to attract more people into their lives, but also inspire others to be positive and as a result they also attract more opportunities – in their careers, business and personal lives.
Lucky people are more intuitive … and their intuition is generally right. Rather than spending too much time trying to assess information, they trust their gut.
Lucky people believe they will succeed. Because of this belief they persevere in the face of obstacles. Unlucky people are easily deterred and tend to give up.
The Superstition Connection
So how does superstition influence luck … or does it?
Wiseman’s survey results revealed that people who consider themselves lucky tend to carry out superstitious behaviors that are designed to bring them good luck – in contrast, people who consider themselves unlucky believe in superstitions that result in bad luck.
For example:
- 49% Of lucky people regularly cross their fingers compared to just 30% of unlucky people.
- 18% Of lucky people become anxious if they break a mirror, compared to 40% of unlucky people.
- 55% Of unlucky people dread the number 13, compared to just 22% of lucky people.
The most important point I want to make here is that superstition is not a determining factor in whether you have good or bad luck.
In fact, the results of all of the studies that have been conducted on luck support the belief that people make their own luck – it’s simply that lucky people who are superstitious tend to carry out behaviors that make them feel good, whereas the superstitious behaviors of unlucky people cause them to expect the worst.
The bottom line … so can you improve your luck? Absolutely!
Here are Professor Wiseman’s four top tips for improving your luck:
- Learn to listen to your gut instincts – they are normally right
- Be open to new experiences and breaking your normal routine
- Spend a few moments each day remembering things that went well
- Visualize yourself being lucky before activities or events.
- Luck is very often a self fulfilling prophecy – believe you are lucky
I’d like to add another ‘tip’ not included in the Professor’s list - make peace with your past. Negative mental reruns of past mistakes or conflicts are bound to adversely affect self-esteem and when you’re feeling down on yourself it’s going to be pretty hard to be positive, let alone visualize yourself as being lucky.
Like so many things in life, improving your luck comes down to you and a positive attitude. Your “luck” really does depend on the choices that you make. When you experience obstacles and detours in life you will always have two choices – try to turn them to your advantage . . . or just complain about them as bad luck.
Your luck, in the end, will always be pretty much up to you.
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Those people who believe that they are lucky people tend to thrive because of the confidence that no harm will come in their way. They feel that they are entitled for success because they are lucky.
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Jason Homes recently posted..Tips When Looking For Short Sale Listings On MLS
Basically, the reason why lucky people excel in different aspects of their lives is the fact that they believe in their self that they are lucky enough to get what they really want. And this boosts their confidence and give them positive outlook in life.
Well me too, I’m not that superstitious. I really do not believe on what they say about something, what’s clear on me is that when we combine hard work and faith then that’s where we get success. Too much negativity is also a reason why people fail so better if we flee from thinking negatively.
I’m not superstitious, but I believe that people make their own ‘luck’ as you pointed out. I don’t believe in luck either – bad or good. I believe that the people who smile more are ‘lucky’ because they have a positive outlook in life. They forge ahead and go for things others feel less confident about.
I believe that so called ‘lucky’ people achieve things because they’re confident they will. As you said in your article – and I agree – attitude has a lot to do with how we see ourselves, how the world sees us, and what we achieve because of these combined elements.
Great post.
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Anne recently posted..Confidence Quotes
Great points Anne, and I agree with you. Personally I rarely use the word ‘luck’ but rather focus on the power of choices … many things will happen to us in this life, good and bad, but it’s up to each of us what we choose to do about them.
This article is truly right. But No matter how your life is, always try to feel good and think positive.
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Candice Michelle recently posted..External Hemorrhoids Treatment
Wonderful article, Marty! You cover all the basis nicely. What stands out to me is being intuitive or as you spoke of it…listening to your gut. Spending that time daily to contemplate our life and having that positive attitude about it. I am not a superstitious person but I believe things happen for a reason and that we should be in tune with looking for those little things that guide us and confirm our direction.
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I appreciate you!
Lynn
Lynn Jones recently posted..I Just Love Quotes!
Welcome back Lynn, and thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and contributing to the conversation – I appreciate you too!
Hey Marquita!
Love this post! I do believe when it all boils down, it is our own mindset and limiting beliefs that TRULY hold us back and keep us in the realm of “bad luck.” Everyone should spend 15 to 30 minutes each day visualizing their ideal self and working on their personal development. I suggest everyone read “Think and Grow Rich” by Napolean Hill. It’s a life changing book. No joke. Thanks for the awesome content, Marquita!
Anthony Hutcherson recently posted..Networking Tips – 4 Awesome Ways to Increase Your Connectivity
Thanks so much Anthony, really appreciate your comment and so glad you enjoyed the article! I wholeheartedly endorse your recommendation to read Think and Grow Rich – I have two copies of the book myself and have honestly lost count of the number of times I’ve reread it
This is a wonderful insight into luck and the statistics are eye opening Marty. I always felt that luck comes in many shapes and forms. That we may feel we are unlucky because of the way we look at things. Instead, if we have a more positive mindset, we will see many things that have happened to us that we might consider to be lucky. Especially if you compare it to other situations in your life.
I love this topic as it opens your mind to the positive side of things. My post today touched on this Marty and I am going to go back and link it here to your post. You shared some really interesting information as well as your thoughts and advice.
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Lynn Brown recently posted..Online Business Success Are You Just Lucky
Hey Lynn, thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts, and especially for letting me know about your article. I’m going to hop on over there and read it right now!
I guess I am lucky I found your site to read about why I am so lucky all the time.
What an interesting article about the differences between lucky and unlucky people. Most of the things the study showed seem to be true. I especially like it that lucky people smile more. I don’t know if that is a causal relationship between smiling more and having more good luck, but it sure feels good to spend my day smiling more.
What I rally like, though, is what you added about releasing your past and making peace with your life before. Not only is that idea profound in its simplicity, it just plain works. Thank you.
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Michael recently posted..A Cup Of Instant Coffee
Welcome back Michael, so glad you enjoyed the article … I agree with you about the value of a smile! Isn’t it so true that often the simpliest of ideas are the most profound?
The main reason why certain people are unlucky is because of the way they think. They don’t believe they can be successful. So focused on the negative that they’re feelings reject what they want. So they in turn bring more of what they don’t want unluckiness.
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