The New Ideas Blog

As you may have noticed, I often note the limitations of language. Of course being a heavy user of it, I certainly recognize its power. The problem comes when we focus more on the words and how they are used incorrectly, rather than on what the user is pointing to. This is very clear in the case of the word luck. Is there such a thing as good luck?

Even though I have written a book on how to have good luck, I am perfectly comfortable with the idea that there is no such thing. Why? Because what it means in one context or in one person’s mind is not the same as in another. If by luck you mean some magical force that brings more opportunity to a person regardless of their situation or actions, well, I don’t believe in that kind of “luck.”

On the other hand, let’s get back to the idea that we should more often seek to see what the speaker is pointing to rather than finding fault in his definitions. From that perspective, it is apparent that when people speak of luck and lucky people they are not imagining what they see. Some people really do have more good things happen to them, more opportunities open up and so on. It may be because they work hard, they work smart, they know the right people and for any of the other causes that I outline in my book, but so what?

Does it matter if there are “causes” that don;t fit your idea of luck? Does it make sense to waste energy debating a definition when you could be asking, “What are some of the causes of all these good things that happen to some people? How can I be that ‘lucky,’ even if I don’t want to use the word?” In fact, there are many very specific techniques for generating what people call luck. Some are based on important research that has been done in the last two decades.

Here is one of the simplest ways to get luckier, starting now: Start looking for good luck throughout your day.

If you start looking to buy a car of a certain type, they are suddenly all over, aren’t they. You start seeing them because you are looking – though they were there all along. This is due to your reticular cortex, a small organ in the brain which directs incoming stimulus to your conscious or unconscious mind. Once you are looking for a type of car, it makes you more consciously aware of those cars by bringing them to your attention.

The reticular cortex, or “gatekeeper” of the mind can be directed more consciously once you are aware of how it functions. Start looking for luck, for example, and it will help you out. You’ll “tune into” opportunity once you have decided on that as a goal. To activate this start counting the ways you are already lucky, and soon you’ll have even more luck.

Some would say that God or the universe brings luck into your life once there’s gratitude in your heart, and that describes the process pretty well. Here is a less spiritual explanation: Once you start to acknowledge the luck you have, you start looking for more. This creates a certain frame of mind which helps you take advantage of opportunities you might otherwise not notice. Your reticular cortex has esentially been programmed to let information about potential opportunities rise to a conscious level in your mind. It brings your attention to them.

Let’s look at a practical example. Suppose a friend mentioned that a furniture store was going out of business, and normally you would forget all about it. However, you have been counting your blessings and looking for more examples of your good luck, so your mind is thinking “Hmm, how could this be an opportunity for me?” You suddenly recall that the company you work for has been considering buying new desks. They’re on sale for 60% off at this store your friend mentioned. You let your boss know, the company saves hundreds of dollars, and, impressed by how you took the initiative, management gives you a promotion. In other words, you created some good luck (or call it whatever you like).

Seeing how lucky you are already, in whatever ways, makes the possibility of good luck more real to your mind. That starts you watching, and watching gets you thinking, “How could this be good luck for me?” or “What can I do with this situation?” Not only will you feel better if you try this (that’s a the mechanical mental process resulting from gratitude), but you’ll see results as well.

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