My daughters recently competed in their first Karate Tournament. I was so excited for them. I knew they’d do well because they’d been practicing hard and have a great coach, but still, I couldn’t help but be a little nervous at the same time. As it turned out, they did wonderfully.
My youngest daughter ended up fifth and my oldest daughter won first in both her divisions. But the most important thing was that they were out there doing their best and that’s all that really matters. Regardless of the outcome, we were so very proud of them for taking the risk.
They participate in many sports and other activities, which got me thinking. What do people say most often in times of trial? Just before a competition? Just before a performance? Just before taking a risk? They say, “Good Luck!”
So this month’s post is all about luck. Good luck, bad luck… Really, what does luck have to do with success in life anyway? Read on and find out.
“Luck is believing you’re lucky.” – Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire
Do you consider yourself a lucky person? Do you have a lucky sweater? Or maybe you were a kid in the 70’s like me and you had a lucky rabbit’s foot key chain. I used to have one, it was red…I loved that thing!
But I have long since let go of the notion that it was the rabbit’s foot that brought me luck or that some people are just luckier than others and that’s why they have success.
There are many different beliefs around the idea of luck. But to me, it’s not about luck at all, it’s about attitude.
Many believe that luck is out of our control. It’s just something that “happens to us.” But there is a growing belief that luck is something you create for yourself.
According to the Law of Attraction, what you focus on is what you’ll get more of. So what does luck have to do with it? Nothing really, unless of course you focus on good luck or bad luck. If you see yourself as a person who has a good life and easily attracts fortune or good things, then according to the Law of Attraction, you will continue to attract more of that. Hence the view from outsiders is “She’s so lucky! Everything works out for her.” However, if you wallow in self pity all the time and focus on all the bad luck you have in your life, then you will in turn continue to create more of that in your life. And that outside (or inside) view would be something like the old saying, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” In other words, your beliefs around the type of “luck” you have may really be just a self-fulfilling prophecy based on those beliefs. Positive attitudes will create good luck and negative attitudes will create bad luck.
So which is it that you believe? Do you see yourself as a victim of circumstance, not really in control of your future, destined for a life full of bad luck? Or do you see yourself as someone who can change their outcome, create the life they want and bring continual good luck?
The reality is, it doesn’t take luck to be successful. It takes determination and desire. It takes overcoming fears and limiting beliefs (including the belief that you have bad luck). It takes focusing on what you want and having the courage to take action towards achieving it.
So go ahead and wish people “Good Luck” as they embark on new things, but know this – if you really want that luck…you just have to believe you have it and act as if you do.