stories November 19, 2010

Can You Change Your Luck?

The dictionary defines “luck” as “the force, considered the result of chance, that seems to operate for good or ill in a person’s life.”  But is luck really just the “result of chance,” or can we, perchance, take some steps to ensure good luck by doing the following?
Pay attention to your surroundings; you won’t spot good luck unless you look for it.
Strike up conversations with strangers.  You might meet the love of your life, or make an important business contact.
After you meet someone interesting, follow up with a note or phone call.
Stay relaxed, even in a pressure situation; it will help you be more aware.
Vary your routine.  Walk on the other side of the street, or try a new lunch spot.
Be aggressive about making changes you want.  Still thinking about moving across the country?  Just go, already!
Follow your hunches and gut feelings; many seemingly random occurrences are actually the result of good subconscious decisions.
Treat nagging doubts as alarm bells.  They’re often right, even if you can’t pinpoint the reason.
Expect good fortune.  If you think something’s going to happen, you’ll be more likely to spot it when it does.
Believe in lucky charms.  A four-leaf clover doesn’t have special powers, but the confidence it gives you is very powerful.
Smile.  People will smile back, and suddenly you’re off to a good start.
Outlast bad luck.  Often a negative turn of events creates unexpected opportunities for good results.