The “Habits for Well-Being” Series
Happy New Year! As we embark on the fresh start that this time of year brings, it’s important to recognize that new beginnings are not limited to the calendar or seasonal changes. We can start a new path any time we choose – and this post is dedicated to helping you do just that.
This is the first in a series of posts related to the “Habits for Well-Being.”
We have all encountered people who seem to be incredibly successful and wonder how they achieved such success despite their flaws. On the other hand, we are probably familiar with situations where others question our own successes despite what we perceive as hard work. The answer is often luck – plain and simple.
However, there are certain habits that can help us cultivate well-being (aka success) regardless of luck. In this series, I will discuss nine habits for improving your overall wellbeing but first we need to acknowledge the role of Luck.
We can all agree that hard work pays off. After long hours and days spent slaving away on projects, late nights at the office, or studying for exams, we may be able to look back and say that our success was due in part to our own drive and dedication.
But it’s important to also remember the role that luck plays in our accomplishments. When it comes to success, one of the hardest things to admit is how much our path has been dictated by factors outside of our control.
Whether it was favorable timing, an opportunity presented at just the right moment or simply good luck – these things have undoubtedly had a hand in shaping where we find ourselves today (and where we will most likely end up tomorrow).
It’s easy to think that we are masters of our own destiny, but when you step back and take a broader view of your journey thus far, you’ll often see that your successes are not only due to your own efforts but have also been partly driven by luck – whether it’s good luck or bad luck depending on the situation.
For many of us, past successes may be attributed largely to good fortune and timing. We might have been at the right place at the right time for a job interview or landed a contract with a dream client thanks to some random encounter or connection. It’s important to not always rely on luck though: there needs to be effort put forth in order for us to maximize any potential opportunities that come along with fate playing its hand.
The future is never certain, but if you remain aware of how much luck can play into life’s outcomes you’ll be better prepared if you’re ever dealt an unfavorable hand.
The more equipped you are with ways of dealing with negative situations while keeping your focus on what’s ahead instead of dwelling on what could have been will allow greater chances for success regardless of external factors like chance and timing.
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
~Seneca the Younger
We’ve all been there. That moment of awe, when we realize how lucky we are to have achieved success in something — whether it’s a promotion at work or winning the lottery. Luck can be a powerful force, and it can sometimes overshadow our own hard work and dedication that got us where we are today.
But there’s no need to get discouraged. Luck is a key part of the success (aka well-being) equation, and it’s important to be humble and recognize that luck played a part in your achievement. Being aware of luck can help foster an environment of gratitude, which can make us feel more content with our accomplishments.
But there are also ways we can create our own luck. Luck is often a combination of hard work, focus, and discipline — all of which we can control to some extent.
By setting direction for ourselves and working towards that direction every day with dedication, we are paving the way for luck to come our way. Luck is not something that just happens on its own; by putting in the effort and having the right attitude, we can increase our chances of luck coming our way.
Remembering how much luck has helped shape your story can help keep everything in perspective no matter where life takes you next; acknowledging this won’t make success any less meaningful but will give you greater appreciation and gratitude for every accomplishment thus far and even more motivation moving forward knowing anything is possible if we put ourselves out there with enough dedication and persistence.
So, go out there and create your own luck! Good Luck! 🙂