Do You Have Control Over Your Luck?

With the economy like it is and the world in chaos, most of us could use a little luck. Some people are just born lucky. Others make their own luck. Lucky people are usually the ones who expect something good to happen and who are open to possibilities. When the world gives them lemons, they really do “make lemonade.” People who never seem to have any luck are the people who are busy finding out what’s wrong in life and spending time complaining about it. Lucky people are creative people who keep their eyes and ears open. When my business partner and I saw that a large seminar company that we were working with didn’t have any product on the table about “Creativity,” we offered to write a book on the subject which they could sell in the back of the room at their seminars. They liked the idea and “Conquer the Brain Drain: 52 Creative Ways to Pump Up Productivity” became a reality. We retained the international rights. Then we took a couple of cases of the books to South Africa, hosted a breakfast at a lovely hotel, invited some important people to attend, including a publisher who liked what we had done and bought the book for the South African market. A new cover, a new title and lucky us, we had another book, “Ignite the Spark: 52 Creative Ways to Boost Creativity,” published by Penguin Books. Many people think I am very lucky. Yes, often I am in the right place at the right time. But I’m the one who decided to be there.

When I wrote “You Are More Than Enough,” getting it published so quickly was really good luck. Attending the Las Vegas Writers Conference where I knew publishers and agents would be was a decision, not luck. Presenting my idea to several of them and following up with the ones who showed an interest was sheer determination. Taking the summer off from making money and spending fourteen hours a day finishing the book was hard work. The book came out in the fall and everyone said, “Aren’t you lucky you found a publisher so quickly?” Yes, I was. I am also lucky that my publisher believes in me and promotes me. I contribute to that by being dependable and promoting my own book at every opportunity. When Stephens Press also offered to publish the matching “Achievement Journal,” I was again very lucky. Another great product was born! It had only taken me twenty years of designing and redesigning, using and reusing that journal until I had built a fabulous success system that others could benefit from and create their own success. We are all presented with opportunities. Some of us see the possibilities and act on them. Others don’t see the possibilities and therefore nothing good comes out of the situation. Some of us get an idea and work toward the fruition while others give up along the way. We actually have far more control over our luck than most people realize. If you expect to win the lottery, you’d better buy a ticket. With a little bit of luck, one day, you’ll win!