Adrian Volenik
Some people are just luckier than others, wouldn’t you agree? They seem to coast through life, and everything gets handed to them on a silver platter.
But what if I told you that the people with the most luck in life share some traits? Can the rest of us mimic them to also become as lucky as they are?
Let’s find out!
1) They have a positive outlook on life
I can’t stress enough just how much an optimistic outlook on life can make a big difference in the perception and creation of luck.
People with a positive attitude are more likely to see the good in situations and capitalize on opportunities.
They believe that there are plenty of opportunities available and that success and good fortune are not limited resources. This mindset helps them attract positive experiences and opportunities.
Thomas Edison is, in my opinion, one of history’s most famous optimists. He was determined to find a working model for the electric light bulb.
The process ultimately involved thousands of failed experiments. However, he maintained a positive attitude and famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
In the end, his optimism eventually led him to the right design, which changed the world. But he also had this next trait that helped him.
2) They believe in themselves
Believing in yourself and having confidence in your abilities can contribute to positive outcomes and attract opportunities, aka luck.
When we believe in ourselves, we’re more likely to take risks, pursue our goals with determination, and persist in the face of challenges.
This self-belief can create a positive mindset that stimulates motivation, resilience, and openness to new possibilities (more on this below).
By having faith in their capabilities, lucky people can increase their chances of success and create their own luck.
Before she became famous for her Harry Potter series, J.K Rowling was a struggling single mother living on welfare.
But despite facing numerous rejections from publishers when she initially tried to get her Harry Potter manuscript published, Rowling persisted and remained confident in her story.
Her belief played a crucial role in her success and eventual recognition as one of the most celebrated authors of our time.
3) They’re open to new experiences and opportunities
“Fortune favors the bold” is one of the most well-known sayings. It emphasizes the relationship between taking risks and experiencing positive effects.
It also encourages us to be brave, proactive, and willing to step outside our comfort zones to seize opportunities and achieve success.
You shouldn’t be surprised that the people you thought were just lucky actually risked a great deal to achieve their “overnight” success.
They probably actively sought out possibilities and were willing to take risks when it came to pursuing their goals.
Their openness significantly improved the chances of discovering fortunate possibilities.
4) They’re hardworking
Let’s start this section with another fantastic saying. This one’s by Samuel Goldwyn, and it goes, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
Don’t you just love this saying? It places luck in our hands, doesn’t it?
The truth is that by working hard, lucky individuals increase their chances of being in the right place at the right time, meeting the right people, and encountering advantageous and “lucky” situations.
Although hard work alone isn’t a guarantee of luck or success, a strong work ethic is often a common trait among people who we consider lucky, as it increases the likelihood of being prepared to seize opportunities.
5) They’re proactive
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
– Peter Drucker
Although some people have things fall in their laps, many others that are very lucky in life don’t.
They tend to be proactive rather than passive and actively pursue solutions, take the initiative, and create their own luck.
They increase the likelihood of encountering fortunate situations by actively engaging with their surroundings.
After all, you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy the lottery ticket!
6) They’re patient
Other times, good things come to those who wait. Being patient and not forcing things can sometimes lead to unexpected but positive developments.
Being patient can, for instance, allow you to wait for an opportunity that truly aligns with your goals, skills, or interests rather than rushing into something that might not be the best fit for you.
Once the opportunity arises and you take it, an outside viewer might see this as mere luck and nothing else.
For example, investing in startups and making huge amounts of money once they go public might also seem like a stroke of luck to outsiders.
However, there’s a lot of risk and patience involved in doing this. It isn’t just “a gift from God.“
7) They bounce back
How resilient are you? Do you bounce back from setbacks stronger than ever?
I hope so, because resilient people are better equipped to handle challenges, adapt to changes, and persist in the face of misfortune. Your resilience can also create more opportunities for positive results.
Lucky people, or the ones we perceive as such, view failures as learning opportunities and quickly adapt their approaches to move forward.
They’re able to strive in the pursuit of their goals, maintaining a positive attitude and adjusting their strategies as needed.
8) They’re social
But they also tend to be social creatures. They know subconsciously that social capital can lead to more opportunities and fortunate encounters.
In the business world especially, it’s not what you know but who you know.
Lucky people increase the likelihood of attracting promising outcomes and valuable connections by creating positive impressions and cultivating good relationships.
Strong social skills can help us cultivate influence and gain the support of others.
If you have a positive reputation and are known for your reliability, integrity, and helpfulness, you could attract opportunities, as others are more likely to recommend or refer you for potential jobs, contracts, or career opportunities like promotions.
9) They’re humble
Honestly, being humble in a business setting will often do you more harm than good. But life in general isn’t just work.
Gracious people are more approachable and likable. Their humility makes them relatable and makes others feel comfortable in their presence.
People who recognize these qualities are more inclined to support, collaborate with, or provide opportunities to genuinely gracious and humble people.
10) They’re adaptable
People who are the luckiest in life share adaptability as their trait.
It lets them quickly adjust to new situations and changes. Thus helping them take advantage of unexpected opportunities or rapidly alter their course when the initial plan doesn’t work out.
I consider myself pretty lucky in life and attribute that to being adaptable, perhaps more than anything else on this list.
11) They trust their gut feelings
And lastly, some people who are the luckiest in life have a strong sense of intuition or gut feeling. They trust their instincts and make decisions based on their inner guidance.
This leads them to make choices that often bring them to be in the right place at the right time.
You might even call them serendipitous because they’re often involved in chance encounters, unplanned events, or lucky coincidences.
To increase your chances of serendipity, you need to implement many of the traits above, such as staying open-minded, being curious, and embracing new experiences.
By being open to the unexpected and remaining receptive to possibilities, you’ll be more aware of the lucky moments that may come your way.
I love serendipity because it adds an element of surprise and unexpected joy to life’s journey, making it feel like luck is on your side.
Final thoughts
In the end, tell me, do you feel lucky? Do you think we can learn something from lucky people, or does the universe just love them more?
