Some believe that good luck means being on the receiving end of good things coming into your life easily due to accident or chance. They maintain you’re either lucky or not and it’s purely a matter of fate.
This implies that regardless of what you do, you may not be successful, purely because you’ve not been endowed with the necessary luck to make it possible.
Believe this and you’ll believe you have a legitimate excuse for not being successful. However it also means that you give away your personal power completely, turning you into a helpless victim of fate.
On the other end of the spectrum I come across others who don’t believe good luck operates in this way at all. They believe you make your own luck by working hard.
A well-known quote by film producer, Samuel Goldwyn, sums this up as follows:
“The harder I work the luckier I get.”
The implication here is that if you work hard, then good things will come your way easily as a consequence.
But this is not necessarily so. I know of plenty employees and business owners who work extremely hard and yet they would definitely not say they are being rewarded by good fortune.
The reason why? They may work hard but they neglect giving any attention to expecting good things to come their way as well so all that happens is hard work.
I’ve re-written the above quote as follows:
“The harder I work at expecting good things the luckier I get.”
Now the meaning changes completely. Fate plays no role and working hard is not a criteria. Following up your positive expectation with meaningful action however, will certainly hasten a positive outcome.
In my experience when you expect things to go well and you truly believe they will; then they do. Another way of looking at this is when you have faith that you can attract whatever you require then it will be so. This is how you bring good things into your life and business easily. It has everything to do with the focus of your expectation.
This is why if you expect to work hard to be successful then working hard will be your reality. Nothing wrong with working hard at times but wouldn’t it be preferable to expect things to go well in addition so that there was actually less work to do? When things don’t go well then inevitably you end up working harder to achieve the same outcome.
In a previous post, Who’s That in Your Driver’s Seat, I wrote about the importance of making decisions on a daily and moment by moment basis. While being decisive is important, sometimes we make decisions that are positive and then without realizing we neglect to support the decision with a positive outcome expectation.
A great technique to use to focus your expectation positively is called ‘segment intending’. It means dividing your day into segments as you choose. Then before each segment you spend time becoming clear in your mind about exactly how you want that segment to unfold in reality.
For example, you may segment intend before making a business call. It means you will decide exactly how you want the call to manifest. You run through what you will say to each other and the outcome you want from the call. It’s a bit like having dress rehearsals or mini visualizations throughout your day.
I believe when you expect things to go well, they do which is far more likely to happen than putting yourself at the mercy of chance. This is the law of attraction in action!
What do you say?
What are your beliefs about good luck?
How do you moment by moment expect the outcomes you want?
Let’s continue the discussion below and please consider sharing this post with your followers so that they can join in too. Thank you.
Be Happy!
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Hey Marcus,
It was a pleasure to read about good luck. I agree we’re rewarded according to our hard work, according to our performance but I also believe in the quote that success means ’99% hard work and 1% luck’.
What Samuel Goldwyn wrote is just too short, I like more your re-written version
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Marcus Baker Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Hi Darin,
Thanks Darin. What a lot of people don’t realize is that most of the hard work is mind work not taking action work but I agree with you we have to do it, nobody or nothing else does it for us.
~Marcus
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Marcus -
I think you have hit the nail on the head with your modification to that quote about luck. It’s not all about working hard, but about working hard and keeping a positive mindset that said work will end up with positive results. And I think it’s ALSO about keeping that mindset, even when your luck isn’t so great… I’ve been having really *bad* luck lately in certain areas of my life, but I’ve been trying to keep them separate from everything else and so far I’ve still been able to have a pretty positive outlook on life.
Natasha
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Hi Natasha,
You are right Natasha. So often we think we are focused on the best but we aren’t. There is a subtle difference between focusing on what we do want and what we don’t want.
Great to hear how you have managed to keep things in check and not let one area leak into another. Well done.
~Marcus
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Hey Marcus,
Some things are still dependent on your chance, but your main message rings loud and clear: We can’t just wait for life to happen to us. Instead, we need to take responsibility for the direction of our lives?
Will crappy things happen to us that we don’t deserve? Probably. But we always have the choice on HOW we handle these situations and how we improve them.
Thanks for this. And thanks for reminding people that a lot of the “luck” we get in this world comes from keeping our minds open and working hard. In many ways, we DO create our own luck.
I’ve written about this topic too, in posts such as:
In All Success There is an Element of Luck
The Illusion of No Control (where I critique some things Leo from Zen Habits said, which are remarkably similar to some of the attitudes you critique in this post).
Cheers and enjoy the rest of your week,
Steven
Steven recently posted..Beliefs and Your Map of Reality
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Hi Steven,
Welcome and thank you for leaving such a value packed comment too.
Realizing that we have the power to influence our reality means we are not victims of fate. Even when crappy things do come our way, as you say, we still have the power to influence these by how we respond to what we have attracted.
I will definitely be going to read your posts on this topic, Steven. Thank you.
~Marcus
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Sorry for my grammar errors, I type + think too fast.
Steven recently posted..Beliefs and Your Map of Reality
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Marcus Baker Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
You and me both!! My head definitely works faster than my typing hands!
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
this is powerful and you’re really good at re-writing stuff, quotes and ancient fables
Well, you’re doing a great job at it because you are right on: If we focus on hard work, we will attract more of it – hard work. The result of our hard becomes unimportant. I can tell from experience.
We have a saying for luck in Germany: We’re talking about “the luck of the hardworking people”
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
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[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Hi Oliver,
Thanks for the compliment.
Funny thing is I used to do this from a young age, re-write exiting stories till I liked the story better. Ha ha…
I never thought it was a worthwhile skill to have but I seem to still be doing it many years later so I guess it does have it’s uses after all.
Thanks too for sharing the German saying too. Just lately I’ve looked at a number of quotes about luck, and many entrench the beliefs of our society.
Thanks for adding value here as usual Oliver.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
Segment intending is a wonderful idea.
Instead of wondering “what’s going to happen”, and sending off a scared, confused vibe, we simply expect good things by seeing these good things first. Which sends a signal out to the Universe to return these good things to us.
Thanks for sharing your insight Marcus.
RB
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Hi Marcus. For me, good luck will come to someone when it’s in the right time.
Andrew Walker recently posted..Sherweb Promotion Code
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Hey Marcus,
I do have a horseshoe mounted over the top of my door you know. I believe the same as you we decide our luck internally and do not let outside forces to determine our fate.
When you mentioned segmenting before doing something. I also do this but I call it pre-paving the way. When I forget to do this though outer circumstances appear out of control.
Justin | Mazzastick recently posted..5 Powerful Tips To Become Really Confident
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Hi Marcus,
Yes I am back! Sorry for not dropping by lately but I subscribe to your posts and know I won’t miss anything!
I saw the title of this post and had to drop what I was doing to come over and read this.
I completely agree that when we think “luck” is outside of us, we lose our power completely and will feel like a raft that is just floating about.
Luck is all about you and it’s wonderful that you are spreading the message that you have to expect the success whatever that is for you.
It’s not only to expect it by saying it with words but to fully feel that expectation emotionally. That way you are so fully charged you can already experience it and see it happening! That’s exciting
Love the energy here as always!
Diana
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Luck.To me, luck is winning the lotto. And that’s it.
When it comes to business and entrepreneurship, there is no such thing, in my book – unless Google randomly calls you and tells you that they will place you on their homepage for a day because I am the 100 trillionth visitor. lol
With anything in life – it takes effort. Business and success is about solving problems and working towards a goal.
The only thing that can stop you is yourself. If you want something bad enough, you will do it – if you don’t know how to do it, you will hire someone to do it or learn to do it yourself. It’s that simple.
I am rather firm, I know. But I am a true believer that if you want something bad enough, you can get it. Period.
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Hi Marcus,
I’ve read somewhere that you create your own luck, which to me means you have to both work at it as well as believe in it.
Thanks for sharing your great insights!
Ilka
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Marcus, aloha. As you already know, I am a big believer in segment intending. Not only do I segment intend before picking up the telephone, I segment intend each day as well as each time I get in the car. If we are not clear in our minds what we want, how will we ever get it? Segment intending helps me to be clear in my intentions and expression of them.
Marcus, I absolutely agree with your rewrite on the quote. We need to be open to the possibilities that come our way–both those in the form we anticipate and those which are something else entirely.
Let me tell you a story about Good Luck. One of my dear friends is an amazing 92 year old lady–she still holds world records for fishing! Anyway, Louise, is known as a lucky lady.
Whenever Louise attends an event, be it a small party or a golf tournament (yes, she still plays), if there are prizes to awarded through random drawings, it is absolutely guaranteed Louise will win at least one.
Louise’s driving force is to enjoy life as well as to appreciate everything and everybody. (By the way, Louise is the one who prompted me to write the No Complain post.) She is the epitome of “girls just wanna have fun.”
And you know what, Marcus? She does. Winning is fun; so she does. Her vibrational frequency is a consistent match to all things that will bring her pleasure and cause her to appreciate even more.
Louise experiences consistent Good Luck because she is consistent in her intentions and vibrations. Great lesson to us all, don’t you agree?
Best wishes, my friend, for a most excellent day. Until the next time, aloha. Janet
Janet recently posted..CHAINED by Janet Callaway | The Natural Networker
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I completely agree with your post and that good luck doesn’t just happen out of the blue. When you put out the positive energy, good things come your way. I like your segment intend approach and can see how that would be helpful in just visualizing a positive outcome. There are people with a dark cloud that just follows them around and then others where the sun is always shining. I know I want to be with the sunshine.
Cathy | Treatment Talk recently posted..Is Your Child Immune? Underage Drinking Doesn’t Discriminate
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 4th, 2011 at 12:34 am
Hi Cathy,
Welcome and thank you for sharing your uplifting comment with us.
I agree with you, why seek out dark clouds when the sun is available?
It is just law that what we think about manifests so bringing good fortune our way is a lot less about chance and all about deliberate thought focus.
How wonderful since it means each and every one of us can share in the sunshine.
~Marcus
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Finding Good Luck always involves effort. Even winning the lottery requires you to select the numbers and buy the ticket. It also often involves timing, being at the right place at the right time. However, doing either or both does not guarantee good luck. The best way to find out if luck will come your way is to work hard and be passionate about what you do. This way, even if it doesn’t, you don’t end up empty handed.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
August 4th, 2011 at 12:31 am
Hi Darla,
Welcome and thanks sharing your views here.
Acting on impulses combined with believing that we can attract what we want sums it up for me.
You can work hard but that guarantees nothing other than working hard. You can work hard and still struggle to achieve. How much easier it is when we expect things to be easier because then they usually are.
~Marcus
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Another great post Marcus and another great topic. I believe we make our own luck.
I use to work for a guy and everyone always claimed he was the luckiest man when it came to business deals. He was filthy rich but he went about it in a very dishonest way. Everyone thought his life was fabulous but he was a miserable human being. Since I worked very closely with him, I knew the personal turmoil he had going on in his life. Deep down he was a very unhappy guy. Luck! Nope, I don’t think luck had anything to do with it. You bring it all upon yourself.
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[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 2:51 am
Hi Adrienne,
Couldn’t have said it better myself Adrienne.
As you also showed with your example in the comment, just because someone may appear fortunate in one area does not mean that they are decent human beings or happy for that matter.
Appreciate your comment Adrienne.
~Marcus
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I had never actually thought about the concept of luck, Marcus, but I so love your logic! I always had an inkling that positivity had something to do with luck, but your idea of “working at expecting good things” is the perfect clarification of that.
I especially appreciate you sharing the strategy of “segment intending.” It’s such a concrete way to break down our day into manageable moments in which we can influence our attitude and the outcome. I’ve always wanted to be more conscious throughout the day, but it’s been such a daunting task.
Thanks for your insights here, friend! =)
Samantha Bangayan recently posted..Iguana-Inspired Reflection in Guayaquil, Ecuador
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Hi Samantha,
You have the knack of always making me and I am sure of all the bloggers you support, feel as if you have always genuinely learned something valuable from the post you have just read. Thank you.
I agree with you that being more present during the day can be a daunting task and you are right “segment intending” is a bit by bit management tool. I would be lost without using it myself.
Thank you for always adding value here Samantha.
~Marcus
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I love this article, Marcus!
I do not believe in fate, and I do not believe that hard work always provides the specific result I want. I do believe that when I expect good things, good things are likely to happen!
I also believe an important factor in success is doing the right things. The significance in doing the right things is checking my motivation and allowing my values and intention to guide the work that I do. To do this I must be open and honest with myself, and mindful of my intentions.
Namaste,
Chrysta
Chrysta Bairre recently posted..Get Gratitude: 3 Simple Steps for Living
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 7th, 2011 at 7:36 am
Hi Chrysta,
Welcome and thank you for adding to the conversation.
I could tell from visiting your blog Chrysta that you would be a firm believer in expecting the best as natural approach to manifestation.
I agree with you that when what we expect is in alignment with our inner purpose then this energizes the expectation process.
Namaste,
Marcus
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Hi Marcus – the part that jumped off the page at me was when you say “It has everything to do with the focus of your expectation.”
I do believe that is true.
When I was younger, I set incredible goals. One was to purchase a home. I was 17 when I decided. By the time I was 18 I had done so!
Nobody could believe it, but I simply expected it.
I am not a good at this as I was. I think sometimes when life knocks you down, you have to try a little harder to get up.
Not playing the violin, and not saying I’m ‘terrible’ at it….. just need to re-polish those skills a little more from time to time.
Lovely to see you and I thoroughly enjoyed the post. (as always)
Jayne
Jayne Kopp recently posted..My 4 Year Anniversary as a Work at Home Mom!
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 7th, 2011 at 7:30 am
Hi Jayne,
Wow Jane you owned a home at 18! That is impressive. I have to say owning a home was the last thing I was thinking about that that age.
You demonstrate so well the point I only learned later on in life: When you expect something, you set an intention and when you add belief to the mix it has to come.
I think when is younger you are generally more hopeful and dream oriented then as we get older for some reason we become rooted in reality which blocks the flow of energy.
I do believe however that it’s like riding a bicycle, once you know how to ride you never forget completely so yes Jane I agree with you it’s just a matter of clearing out some of the cobwebs and before you know it you will be expecting and believing like before. You’ve done it before so you can do it again.
Always lovely to have you add to the conversation Jayne.
~Marcus
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your mind and the Positive Web Ring fills your mind with good things… Give your mind a push in a positive direction today.Cruise your way ..
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 9:40 am
Hi Melinda,
Welcome and thank you for your comment.
Setting a positive intention certainly does lead to smooth cruising in life.
~Marcus
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yes
i agree this topic
I do not believe in fate, and I do not believe that hard work always provides the specific result I want. I do believe that when I expect good things, good things are likely to happen!
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 12th, 2011 at 3:53 am
Hi there and welcome!
Sounds as if you are already set up for success! Awesome.
~Marcus
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Good luck is every thing when you work harder and harder for days and night to get success still you can’t get it it means you are not lucky
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Marcus Baker Reply:
August 15th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Hi Dale,
Welcome and thanks for your comment.
Hard work and getting everything you want in life does not necessarily happen but if you expect that you will get what you want then there’s every chance you will.
~Marcus
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I don’t believe in luck its the handwork that brings success.The one thing that change luck is the hard work and pray.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
August 15th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Hi Farhan,
Welcome and thank you for leaving a comment.
Having faith goes a long way to making our luck manifest.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Hello, Marcus,
I think I believe in luck only if it comes in form of a lottery prize. Otherwise, in other segments of life there is no luck, just circumstances. Even hard work sometimes can’t bring the wanted results, but I believe if we focus on what we want and if we really trust that we will reach the goal, the positive thoughts combined with the effort invested will show us the results the way we expected them to be. Now, if someone want’s to call it a luck, then that’s their interpretation. However, I am always willing to give a chance for luck to happen.
Kristina L. recently posted..PhantomPlate Coupon Code
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 15th, 2011 at 7:52 am
Hi Kristina,
Couldn’t agree more Kristina. I think we make our own “luck” and most of the work has to do with just expecting good things to happen. If your intention is to experience positively and you have faith that’s it’s possible then it often is.
Thank your for adding to the discussion Kristina.
~ Marcus
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Is there anyway to change bad luck into good luck. To change my destiny. I don’t like what is happening with me and my family.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
August 17th, 2011 at 7:15 am
Hi,
We can not directly influence what happens to others only ourselves. If you can focus your thoughts on what you want your life to be like it will very well impact on others around you too.
~Marcus
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I have a bad habit of relying on luck when i should be actually relying on work.
Luck mostly gives you something without having to work for it. But what comes for free anymore? One day, by expecting for luck to work its magic, you’ll be missing opportunities you could have taken with real work.
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Yeah,,,it is all depends on your luck but you have to do try hard and hard then the luck also becomes very bright otherwise not.Luck is not in your hands.But work is in your hands.Bcoz your work can make luck but your luck can’t make your work.
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