An overnight trip to central Oregon inspired me to paint this Ponderosa Pine. It was early morning, with the sun rising to illuminate Mount Hood and cover the landscape with a soft blanket.

An overnight trip to central Oregon inspired me to paint this Ponderosa Pine. It was early morning, with the sunrise illuminating Mount Hood and covering the landscape with a soft blanket.

Who’s Lucky Now?

Do some people have more luck than others? Without a doubt, no one is lucky all the time, but some appear to have more good fortune than most. Is that fair and random or is it due to the way these individuals look at life? According to Dr. Margie Warrell, founder of Global Courage, there are six things lucky people do that others don’t. They know bad luck is inevitable but they plan for the future and create good fortune.

What do lucky people do?

1. First, they trust their intuition. They do their homework and analyze the pros and cons of a decision, then ask themselves if it feels right. They don’t overanalyze big decisions for that lowers the odds of making the right one. With that in mind, don’t ignore your next hunch. “Like everyone else, scientists have intuitions. Indeed, hunches and flashes of insight–the sense that something is true even if you can’t prove it–have been behind countless breakthroughs.” ― Philip E. Tetlock, Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction
2. Luck depends on a willingness to take risks. Courageous action that focuses on what you have to gain rather than lose will move you forward. Risk-averse people have a tendency to stay miserable in a secure situation rather than embrace the unknown. Going outside your comfort zone is a good thing, it broadens your horizon. “I won’t get upset at you about a mistake. I’ll get upset at you for the next mistake that comes from still thinking about the last mistake.” -Doc Rivers
3. By expecting good things, you’ll find that more good things do happen. Help others and you will be rewarded, not every time, but in the end. “When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return.” -Eleanor Roosevelt. When you put out and work hard, you’ll enjoy your days more.“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs
4. Optimism-seeing the glass as half full propels you to look for opportunity where there is a setback. It takes an open mind to be accessible to lucky chances. Negative thinking is bound to dampen your spirit and make it more difficult to try new things. Mark Twain once advised, “Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too.”
5. Failure is inevitable, so embrace it. Everyone has setbacks, and whining about them won’t help. Remember that adversity and failure are seeds for your next success. if something bad happens, don’t let yourself be victimized and dwell on it. It’s essential to change your mindset as fast as you can to the positive and move on. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston S. Churchill
6. Lucky people associate with other lucky people. Confidence, ambition, and optimism instead of fear and pessimism are critical emotions for creating luck. No matter what happens to you, put on a cheerful face in the presence of others and help them achieve their goals when you can. If they become successful, you will know you’ve done a good deed and can take pleasure in their luck. “Nature has given us all the pieces required to achieve exceptional wellness and health, but has left it to us to put these pieces together.”-Diane McLaren

I’ll add one more to the list. To get out of a rut, do something out of the ordinary. Spend the day in a park, visit the zoo, stop by a skateboard park, try food not tasted before, or take a bike ride. Open your mind to the things outside the artificial boundary you created for yourself.

Do I follow my own advice? Yes, indeed I try to. I tend toward the optimistic side, a trait that sometimes drives my partner crazy. I find it difficult to see the world as good or bad, black or white. When I fail, which I do often, I study my failure so I grow from the experience and try not to make the same mistake twice. When stuck for inspiration, I take drives on back country roads, go for a hike, or spend time painting in my studio. Relaxing and taking my mind off the problem, puts me on the road to solving it. Brainstorming and coming up with outrageous ideas that must be narrowed down later also helps.

I recently joined a non-fiction club that gets me to read books I wouldn’t usually select. The readings and discussions broaden my outlook, giving me tools to use as I go through my days. These tricks I’ve accumulated over years help me stay creative and engaged. The world is beautiful to those who make the most of it.

References:

Chu, M. ( 2017)This Researcher Reveals How Lucky People Doffer From Unlucky People. Inc.Daily DIgest for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. retrieved from https://www.inc.com/melissa-chu/want-to-become-luckier-heres-what-you-need-to-do-a.html

Warrell, M. ( 2015) Six Things Lucky People Do That Others Don’t. Forbes. retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2015/03/17/create-the-luck-youve-been-wishing-for/?sh=1b3efacb4ace

Art is always for sale. Contact me for questions at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com Ponderosa Pine — original acrylic painting with bark, $595. Canvas Print —$99. booth are 16” x 20”. 

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