Luck … Serendipity … Good Fortune
What does it really mean to be lucky?
The dictionary tells us it is “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions.”
Imagine if we approached our career paths hoping the next opportunity would just appear?
And trusting that luck would land us the right job and success?
I don’t know about you, but I think waiting around for luck to come my way would be kind of boring.
Not that I wouldn’t welcome it if it came knocking at my door. Winning the lottery or learning I inherited a beach mansion from some unknown uncle would be nice.
But reality is … that isn’t going to happen.
So, what is luck? And is it necessary to have it to be successful?
The English poet, John Milton described luck as ‘the residue of design.”
Psychologist and author, Richard Wiseman, after years of study of luck and our perception of luck, concluded that luck is “completely a matter of how we choose to look at our lives.”
So, luck isn’t coming your way. It’s here – and you have to get involved in making what you want to happen – happen.
Happy people leading successful, fulfilled lives make very conscious choices.
Choices about:
- With whom they spend time
- How they present themselves
- Projects they get involved with
- What they read and watch
- Being open to possibility
Those who are satisfied with their life are consistently making tweaks and changes to their habits and activities. At work – and at home.
They do not hesitate to ask others for help. And they position themselves to embrace possibilities and weather storms.
Because the storms come no matter how much designing and planning you do.
What can you do right now to start designing your future or the career paths of those you lead?
- First, acknowledge that you have the power to do it.
- Second, create a plan to be successful. Throw negativity out the door. Learn to start from where you are and what you have.
- Third, find the tools and the people inside and outside of your organization to help you. Nobody gets through life on their own. Nobody.
Making it Happen – Ask an Expert
Take a few moments each day to create an intention to keep you focused on where you want to go next. Be it within your current organization, or at a new place of employment. Then take the step (note only one step) you need to take today to move forward in your quest.
If you are struggling with all the details of a resume, deciding what the next step might be, or if you are in the right career at all, consider talking to an expert who can help you sort through the pieces. Someone who can help you to connect, visualize, and develop a plan to improve your sense of self and identify the skills needed to take you from here … to your new position.
This approach can help you lead and manage your staff as well. Coaching others to success is the epitome of a good manager.
Don’t wait around for luck to come your way!
You will be lucky and successful when you take control of your actions and reactions to move forward in your career – or to help others do so. When you accept that career paths have ups and downs. And when you reach out to others to help you and travel with you on your journey.
To your best,
Angela
P.S. If you are looking for a holistic approach to moving ahead in your career or helping your employees to be the best they can be at their jobs, I am currently scheduling corporate mindfulness training programs for 2019. Click here to learn more.