Be lucky! ☘️

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator says, “Calm down. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says, “OK, now what?”.

This is apparently the world's funniest joke, which was researched by Richard Wiseman, a professor at the University of Hertfordshire who holds Britain’s Chair in the Public Understanding of Psychology. Professor Wiseman conducts all sorts of scientific research like this.

One area he specialises in is how to understand, control and increase luck.

In his book 'Luck Factor' he condensed luck down to four core behavioural principles:

1. Lucky people maximise chance opportunities.

2. Lucky people listen to intuition.

3. Lucky people expect good fortune.

4. Lucky people see good in the bad.

So how to put this into practice? Carry a rabbit's foot, knock on some wood, cross your fingers, find a black cat to cross your path, avoid ladders, carry a four clover, hang up a horseshoe and wish people 'break a leg' are all well and good. But doing these all the time could get a bit cumbersome.

A better way is how we think.

Our minds can be hardwired to make us 'feel' lucky. Psychology Today, shared some 'think lucky' tips, for example:

If you think this way about: Work

"I need to finish this project by 11, team meeting at 12, lunch at 1, finish that report this afternoon, and I'm home free by 6."

Try this approach instead: "I want to try to accomplish two major things today, but in my downtime, I'm going to explore a few other ideas that could help the company or my career."

If you think this way about: Friendships

"I already have a handful of really wonderful friends. I don't need or have time for anymore."

Try this approach instead: "I love to make new friends, even if it never goes farther than a conversation and Facebook friending."

If you think this way about: Errands

"I need to hit the dry cleaner, the bank, and the grocery store. I should be home in time for the game."

Try this approach instead: "I have to get these things done, but I'm not going to rush because I don't really know what to expect or whom I'll meet. It will be interesting to see how it works out."

So if you transform your thinking to these principles, you may, just may, get luckier. And this kind of thinking, I think, is vital for a transformation mindset. It's really growth mindset thinking really isn't it? Seek out opportunities. Look for the upside. Be positive. It's not luck.

To celebrate lucky thinking I baked a batch of 'Jammie Dodger' Blondies using the luckiest biscuit going. Be lucky!🤞🍀