From time to time, someone will say, “You’re so lucky,” referring to my work lifestyle. I’m never quite sure whether to be happy or offended. Should I reply, “Thanks!” or “It has nothing to do with luck.” Or they say, “Well, if I had your job…” or “It must be nice…” and I’m thinking, “Honey, this ain’t no job, I created this out of blood, sweat and tears.”
Are You Lucky?
I actually do consider myself to be a lucky person. I frequently win contests and drawings. I always win the book when I attend a networking event and the speaker/author puts out a fishbowl for business cards to do a drawing for a free copy of whatever book he/she is promoting. When I was five, I won a coloring contest put on by Wells Fargo. The prize was a bike but since I already had one, they gave me $50 in a Wells Fargo savings account. Pretty good for a five-year-old. Although my Mom always took a “command and control” approach to our art projects, so it’s very possible those other five-year-olds were out-colored by a 35-year-old woman.
It hasn’t seemed to flow over into lotto tickets yet but I’m still working on that. Several years ago, my New Year’s resolution was to buy lotto tickets on a regular basis. I frequently found myself waxing poetic, “Well, if I won the lottery I would…” But how on earth would that ever happen if I didn’t start buying tickets? So now I buy tickets on regular basis. I buy tickets that cover several weeks so I don’t drink too many Slurpees. My other most successful New Year’s resolution from many years ago was flossing my teeth every day. When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, I like to aim low.
What is Luck?
The best business book I have ever read is On Wings of Eagles by Ken Follett. Here’s the description:
“#1 bestselling author Ken Follett tells the inspiring true story of the Middle East hostage crisis that began in 1978, and of the unconventional means one American used to save his countrymen…
When two of his employees were held hostage in a heavily guarded prison fortress in Iran, one man took matters into his own hands: businessman H. Ross Perot. His team consisted of a group of volunteers from the executive ranks of his corporation, handpicked and trained by a retired Green Beret officer. To free the imprisoned Americans, they would face incalculable odds on a mission that only true heroes would have dared…”
This is a riveting true story and the business lessons are too numerous to list. It’s not intended to be a business book and it is as entertaining as any Ken Follett novel. I highly recommend you read it.
Two of my all-time favorite quotes are from this book:
You never get the chance to be lucky, unless you take risks.
~ H. Ross Perot
The harder I worked, the luckier I got.
~ H. Ross Perot
Hard Work and Simple Moments
I have worked hard to create the life I deserve. Before you can create the life you deserve, you must define it for yourself. One of my secrets is finding joy in the simple moments.
On Sunday morning, I stand barefoot at my kitchen sink feeling the earth connection with thousands of years of women preparing food for their families. No one is rushing out the door, so we have time for a big, meandering breakfast. Our Sunday morning tradition is freshly baked cinnamon rolls. So, they’re out of a tube, nobody cares.
On Monday night, after a long day of kicking off the week, I am overwhelmed by yet another mountain of dishes in the sink. I pause for a moment and think about the Ukrainian refugee mothers who would give anything to be in my shoes.
My Dad always said, “Change your perspective, change your world.” It’s true, isn’t it? I dive deeper into these ideas in Pour Out the Bucket.
And I do think serendipity (luck’s cousin) plays a big part in success. Serendipity is “finding something when looking for something else, thanks to an observant mind.” You will benefit if you pay attention and create an inviting space in your life to welcome luck.
There is Nothing Special About Me
I’m out here slogging away at this thing called life.
Didn’t sleep a wink because: nasty cough from the little guy.
Kitchen floor is dirtier than yours.
Enough Cheerios under the car seat to feed a family of four for a month.
Science experiment in the veggie crisper.
Goldfish crackers are a food group.
Pizza is the other food group.
Wait, how many food groups are there?
Now Get Lucky
If I can do it, you can do it.
3 action steps, I dare you to try it, make that a double dog dare.
And then come on over to the community to share your wins.