“You’re So Lucky!”

[dc]I[/dc] receive my email and see a note from a local radio station. “Enter here to win tickets to a private, acoustic performance by the band fun.” Sure! Why not? I love their music, and how cool would it be to see them in an intimate setting in Boston? I click on the link, enter my information, and hit send.

Then I kinda forget about it. A week or so later, I get an email letting me know I’d won. Sweet!

When I share my good fortune with friends, many reply with, “Aw, you’re so lucky!” I’ve heard this a lot in my life, how lucky I am, and how others wish they could “be so lucky”. Well, guess what? You can.

By writing things off to “luck” not only takes away any power you have in a situation, but it can also keep you stuck in victimville. There’s a handy formula for luck that I love, highlighted in a quote by Seneca, a first-century Roman philosopher, who allegedly said:

“Luck is where the crossroads of opportunity and preparation meet.”

Being “lucky” really isn’t a matter of chance. Those friends of mine who were envious of my winning the tickets hadn’t even entered the contest. How could they win? Perhaps they received the email, but quickly dismissed it as junk. Maybe they’re not even on the email list at all. The possibility was there, but they weren’t ready to jump on it.

You never know where and when opportunity will present itself, so the best thing you can do is be prepared. But how do you prepare for something without knowing what it is, when it will come, or how it will show up?

If you’re someone who tends to get stuck in tunnel vision, focusing only on your idea of how achieving a goal will look, or harping on the challenges you face, it’s difficult to see anything else. Difficult, but not impossible.

When I’m up against something that frustrates me or when I feel stuck, I’ll ask myself, “What would be another way to look at this situation?” Or, “If a friend came to me with this same dilemma, what ideas would I offer?” If I have trouble seeing another way, I’ll ask someone for their opinion. The secret here is to be very selective with who you choose.

I seek out those who are creative thinkers, are naturally resourceful, and who get jazzed by brainstorming. You want to pick someone who supports you in a healthy way and doesn’t have a tendency to face a challenge with negativity.

As you practice seeing life through the lens of abundance and opportunity, you’ll find that more “luck” comes your way. You’ll be prepared to notice that contest and you’ll enter. You’ll be present enough to hear someone mention a job opening at a company you’ve had your eye on. You’ll actually notice that hot guy or girl smiling at you.

So, are you ready to see what you’ve been missing? How will you practice being more open and aware of your surroundings? How can you tweak your outlook and energy so you’re a welcoming participant in this beautiful journey of life? Please join the conversation in the comments below.

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