I often read Lifehacker on a weekly if not daily basis and this article really spoke to me. I have repeatedly been accused of being lucky in my life. Not just my adult life, but as a child as well. This article may explain that observation by asserting it has more to do with our attitude and outlook on life than actual “Luck”. What Lucky People Do Differently than Unlucky People
My favorite quote is
“Unlucky people miss chance opportunities because they are too focused on looking for something else. They go to parties intent on finding their perfect partner, and so miss opportunities to make good friends. They look through the newspaper determined to find certain job advertisements and, as a result, miss other types of jobs. Lucky people are more relaxed and open, and therefore see what is there, rather than just what they are looking for.”
if you are looking for the original source for the article, see What Lucky People Do Different,
Here is a great excerpt (a quote from Steve Jobs no less) that if taken to heart and applied to our lives would have a profound impact on our decicions:
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool that I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
“For the past 33 years I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”