A Psychology Professor Explains in 5 Sentences Why People Get Lucky

Being lucky isn’t about luck at all.

“Luck” comes down to choices, mindset, and perspective.

Richard Wiseman, a renowned clinical psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, has dedicated over a decade to studying the concept of luck. His book, The Luck Factor, is a testament to his expertise in this field. I’ve absorbed his material and insights, so you don’t have to.

Here are his 5 sentences that explain the peculiar phenomenon we know as “luck.”

1. Lucky People See Opportunities Hiding In Plain Sight

“Lucky” people have a different perspective from the masses.

Where most people see problems, “lucky” individuals see opportunity.

In essence, they don’t wait for things to happen. They have a goal or vision that helps to narrow their focus. So, they’re always on the lookout, seeking chances to turn any situation into a stepping stone toward their destination.

Richard also states that lucky people have an open mind. They’re open to experimenting and trying new things and aren’t romantic about the outcome.

This is a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs.

You must be able to look at what society labels problems and see them as opportunities. That’s where the money is and how you become “lucky.”

2. They Deny Fate

Richard’s book emphasizes the detrimental effects of believing in fate.

He spends a significant amount of time arguing how detrimental it is to our well-being, mental health, and our results regarding our goals.

One of the most dangerous ways to think is that our identity is fixed.

For example, phrases like “I was born this way,” “I can’t change,” or “Bad genes run in my family” don’t help us progress at all. These statements are nothing but excuses. Fate isn’t concrete. Anyone can change their trajectory at any time through bold, consistent action.

As Richard says,

“You may be born with disadvantages, but they don’t need to define you.”

Disadvantages can be a gift. They can be a hidden superpower that creates a chip on your shoulder, inspiring relentless motivation to take action and never take no for an answer.

Fate is a lie.

Our thoughts and decisions decide our path in life.

3. Lucky People Are Resilient

Richard found that unlucky people have a tough time bouncing back.

When tragedy, failure, or rejection strikes, they dwell on it. It consumes them. It eats at them from the inside out, destroying their natural luck reserves.

Lucky people are resilient. They get knocked down, think it’s no big deal, and get back up again.

Harrison Ford spent years auditioning and not getting work in Hollywood. He attributes his phenomenal success to resilience.

When bad luck strikes, it doesn’t need to be permanent.

You can’t control situations–but you can control your thoughts. And thoughts determining if you’ll stay down and defeated or if you’ll get back up and go at it again.

4. Lucky People Follow Their Gut

Wiseman’s research found that 90% of lucky people trust their intuition.

This means that they trust and follow their gut.

What’s cool is that intuition isn’t magic. It’s backed by research. Here’s what Richard has to say about it:

“What intuition seems to be most of the time is when you’ve got expertise in the area, that somehow the body and the brain have detected a pattern that you haven’t consciously seen… When we were talking to our lucky people they would often say, “If I get a gut feeling about something I stop and consider it.” Even when unlucky people got those feelings, they didn’t follow them because they didn’t know where they came from. They were anxious about the world.”

Want to increase your luck in life? Go with your gut more often.

5. Lucky People Are Biased Toward Optimism

This one threw me for a loop.

We often hear these feel-good sayings like “be happy,” and there’s “power in positivity,” but sometimes, they seem kind of cringe.

However, there’s science behind the power of optimism.

Richard’s research found that optimism significantly contributed to how lucky someone became.

In one test, Richard gave teachers a made-up list of students who were late bloomers and would be slow learners.

Because of this data, the teachers treated the students differently, and as a result, the students did poorly in school.

Additionally, science shows how the study of positive psychology has repeatedly demonstrated that “pessimists have a shorter life span, are subjected to higher levels of stress, and take far longer to recuperate from medical procedures than optimists.”

So, if you want to become luckier and live longer, stay optimistic.

The BMM Takeaway

Luck isn’t something that only happens by chance.

It’s something that we contribute to with our thoughts, perspectives, and actions.

Remember to live by these 5 principles:

-See opportunities where others see problems
-Deny fate and create your own path
-Stay resilient
-Follow your gut
-Stay optimistic

When you’re consistent in living this way, you’ll find yourself getting “lucky.”