Several weeks ago I found the book “The Luck Factor” on Jeremy’s bookshelf. He mentioned that it was insightful so I decided to read it, curious about what it might say.
The author, Dr. Richard Wiseman, has formal training in psychology and magic. His unconventional nature led him to study the subject of luck in a way nobody had before.
As with The Longevity Project, Wiseman conducts a series of interviews with thousands of people who consider themselves as lucky, unlucky or neutral. From each set of interviews, he finds trends in participant stories and then hones in key trends among the habits, thinking, and behaviors of each of these groups. In addition to in-person, phone and written interviews, he conducts experiments to check on the consistency of trends. From this, he finds the key factors of luck. They are:
- Maximize your possible opportunities. This can be done by extending your network and spontaneously starting discussions with new people anywhere you are. Have a relaxed attitude about life. Lucky people are open to new experiences.
- Listen to your luck instinct. Wiseman warns against attachments. Lucky people see what is actually in front of them. They live in the present and not the past.
- Expect good fortune. Lucky people continue to attempt to achieve their life goals even when the odds are stacked against them. Failure doesn’t stop them. Positive expectations motivate them to take control of their lives. Lucky people expect their interactions with others to be positive.
- Turn bad luck into good luck. Lucky people see the silver lining and expect that things will work out. They also tend to learn from their mistakes.
Also similar to the Longevity Project, readers can take quizzes to assess if they have the traits of a lucky or unlucky person. Wiseman provides tips on which behaviors and thoughts the reader should change to potentially change their fortune.
This book was a quick read and provided helpful reminders on key behaviors that are lucky (and healthy). Before reading this book, I thought of myself as neutral. While reading the book, I realized I have many of the traits and behaviors of the lucky population (even if I haven’t won the lottery). Upon reflection, I have been lucky.
Having lived in a city all my life, when I see that you can grow tomatoes in your garden and make fermented salsa out of it that I dream about all the time, I consider you very, very lucky!
Thank you, Umi. You live in a pretty cool and exotic place too- I have always dreamed of visiting India.
Have you tried growing tomato plants in pots?
I agree India is a very beautiful, colorful, and vibrant place and has a lot to offer. Should you get an opportunity, you should definitely come here and travel into the interiors, not the cities or touristy places, to get a real sense of what India is about.
And no, I haven’t tried to grow tomato plants in pots although the idea is kind of interesting. I’ll look into it.