6 Secrets to Making Your Own Luck

I believe in destiny and karma as much as the next person, but I also believe that you can make your own luck as far as professional life is concerned.

Some people make everyone wonder how they manage to get lucky all the time. When you study the so-called ‘lucky’ ones and their success stories, a few commonalities begin to emerge.

Here are 6 secrets to making your own luck.

I have used the acronym ‘ACTION’ to summarize these secrets:

A — Act

A proclivity for action is one of the cornerstones of making your own luck. Successful people are partial to action — they don’t let their ideas/plans ruminate in their minds or on paper. They act quickly. Put your work out there — don’t hesitate. Its okay to make mistakes, as long as you’re trying different things.

C — Carve out time to prepare/practice.

Make time to perfect your craft. Invest time to learn, to think, to plan, to ideate, to listen and to practice. Once you do this, considering the thought and preparation you put into it, you are ready when an opportunity presents itself.

T — Take chances

The more the chances you take, the greater are the odds of scoring a goal. Ever heard the quote — “Fortune favours the bold”? Most ‘lucky’ people are persistent. They try and take chances and even if they fail, they learn and then they give it a better shot. They keep getting stronger in the process, and eventually succeed. When you show up consistently, you will end up being at the right place at the right time eventually.

I — Internalize Optimism/Positivity

When you take every chance and act, you are likely to encounter roadblocks, setbacks and failure. In such times, it is critical to internalize optimism. Think positively and believe that all this is leading up to victory. A positive and optimistic mindset allows you to spot opportunities, enhances self-confidence and induces confidence in others.

O — Open your mind to possibilities.

As Oprah Winfrey once said — ‘We get in life what we have the courage to ask for’, Think big and open your mind to infinite possibilities. Set challenging goals for yourself and dream big. You might end up surprising yourself. You never know what you are capable of, until you overcome your self-limiting beliefs.

N — Network

Many opportunities arise from knowing the right people. Build a strong and diverse network and make a difference to those in your network. This will help in two ways — (1) It establishes your brand, niche and credibility; and (2) It makes people want to return the favour.

Whether it is timely knowledge of a great opportunity or a valuable connect/referral or support, your network truly reflects your net worth.

Let me leave you with a quote by Roman philosopher Seneca — “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.