When you look at other folks with more success, money, a better body or whatever you’d like to have, do you sometimes say: “They are so lucky. And I am not.”
You can generate your own luck. Period.
First, let’s take a look at what luck is all about. I’ll use as my example Fred, a business man who is regarded as a lucky person… today.
He started a business a few years ago and was doing just okay. Nothing special. He had a few small clients which he was happy with. He wanted to run a respected company in his little niche.
And then he got lucky. This niche unexpectedly became the driving force for the automotive industry.
Today Fred is regarded as extremely lucky, since his was one of only two businesses capable of delivering what the industry needed at the time. He’s made tons of money, he’s hired more and more people and two years later he was able to sell his little ‘niche’ company for a hefty profit.
So, would you agree that Fred is a lucky person? With the unexpected demand by the automotive industry he must be lucky.
Behind the scenes
What you don’t see from the outside is that Fred was fighting like a maniac for his business. He was working long hours and together with his business partners, key employees and consultants he tried to create new ideas to generate more business and subsequently more revenue.
He spotted potential gaps and got in touch with all types of potential clients, including the automotive industry, long before it was interested. And, most importantly, he didn’t give up simply because they were not willing to buy his products at that point in time. He understood that a “No” today might be just temporary and that the all-important “Yes” will come at another day.
And then that day came. The automotive industry was tackling a new challenge and Fred and his niche business came to mind. They asked him for advice, and together they found a solution. And all of a sudden he became lucky.
The best of luck
Luck is what happens at the crossroad where preparation meets opportunity. I wholeheartedly believe that we can generate our own luck by applying some of the rules I have listed below.
1. Be Prepared
Always be prepared and ready for the moment an opportunity shows up. But be warned, the best opportunities often show up when you least expect them and the timing might be the worst ever. But hey, that’s the nature of opportunities. Another important point: If you don’t grab that opportunity, someone else will. And then they’ll be the lucky ones.
2. Be Proactive
Be proactive no matter what. Focus on potential clients, industries, anyone who could become clients one day and then stay in touch, even if they are not interested at that point in time.
3. Listen carefully
Always listen carefully to your clients. All of them have a lot of problems to deal with and they talk about those problems. You just have to hear what they’re saying. Listen and try to understand them. That’s the way to build trust. Remember: You can build a trustful relationship even if you can’t help them right now.
Just listen and do not sell a solution which does not fit… and they will gain trust in you.
In my opinion, you can create your own luck. Be prepared all the time, look at opportunities and be willing to invest your time, energy and passion into ideas that others don’t dare to work on.
Now it’s up to you: Go and create your luck.