There's nothing wrong with a good old horseshoe above the door or rabbit's foot key chain, but there's more to inviting good luck than these little charms. Luck is a mixture of the privilege we're born into and the good circumstances that come our way. While we can't control whether we're born into a life of privilege, we can make sure we leave the door open to as much good fortune as possible.
I'm as superstitious as the next person, but when it comes to the things that matter in my life, I try to make my own luck or at least encourage it to find me. After almost five decades on the planet, these are the tricks that work for me.
I Look in the Direction I Want My Life to Go
Remember when you were first riding your bike as a kid? If you looked at something on the side of the road, you could suddenly find yourself riding in that direction (which often involved the ditch). I've found that the same goes for life.
Staying on the path you want (or getting on that path in the first place) takes looking in the direction you want to travel. There's a lot of noise out there, and the world is full of distractions. It's easy to look away, but if you remind yourself of your goals, your life tends to head toward them. That's definitely a form of luck.
Related: All Zodiac Signs Ranked From Luckiest to Least Lucky
I Try New Things and Let Myself Be Bad at Them
A lot of the luck in life happens when you're outside your comfort zone. That means trying new things and sometimes being really bad at them. As an adult, failing can feel pretty terrible, but it's also important for success.
I'm not talking about trying that new item on the menu at your favorite restaurant (although that could be good, too). This is more like taking a risk with a new skill or hobby or doing something scary like going back to school as an adult.
I Say 'Yes' Most of the Time
Opening your life to good luck isn't just about doing things you haven't done before; it's also about saying "yes" to all kinds of opportunities that come your way. For example, when an acquaintance asks me to have coffee with them, I do. Sometimes, that person can turn into a friend.
The same goes for professional opportunities. Even if something doesn't sound like your favorite activity, saying "yes" puts you in the path of people you might want to know and situations that could benefit you.
There's also a value in knowing when you need to say "no." Sometimes, overscheduling can stress you out to the point that you really can't accept more lucky opportunities in your life. If that's you, the strategy of saying "yes" might need to be for only very specific areas of your life.
I Connect With Other People in Small Ways
The more people who have a positive association with you, the more chance you have of something lucky happening in your life because of those connections. Despite having social anxiety, I try to smile and wave at people as I'm walking around my neighborhood. I also connect with people online by replying to DMs and reaching out to people I admire. I've received some lucky breaks because of that.
Building positive connections is a good way to encourage luck in your life, and it's easy to do. It can involve helping others when it looks like they need it, volunteering, and taking the time to chat with people at the check-out line or reception desk. You never know who might offer you help next time you really need it.
Related: 60 Encouraging Good Luck Quotes to Brighten Someone's Day
Be Ready for the Luck in Your Life
By its nature, luck isn't really something you can fully control. Where you're born and the culture of your upbringing can have a huge influence on the chances you have in your life. And some things really are just random. However, if you open yourself to luck and encourage good things to come your way, you'll be ready for the next opportunity that enters your life.
