But you’re lucky! Luck = opportunity + preparation. 3 things you can do to increase your luck!

I was always told by people who knew me that I was lucky. People would see the opportunities that I was lucky to have and say it’s luck, “Philip – he’s so lucky.”

I got to perform in concert halls, I’ve sung and won £1000 a couple of times for performing. I’m currently coaching senior directors and managing directors in Citi on their top leadership programs. I’ve a resident slot singing in a great hotel in Belfast. I’ve a beautiful girlfriend. I’ve an amazing family and friends who like hanging out with me (I hope!). I’ve cycled from Dublin to Rome for charity.

I realise I AM lucky to have had these experiences. But I also know that I’ve created a lot if not most of that luck. No one sees the preparation and hours at home practicing or reading or training that I’ve done over the last 15 years. No one sees the gigs I’ve walked to in the rain with my guitar and umbrella because I had no car. No one sees the hours training indoors on the bike because it’s snowing outside. Overnight success? No chance! 15 years and then overnight success! So I wanted to share a couple of things I think will increase your chances of luck! Let me know how you get on with them and if they’ve increased your luck!

Give value before you look for value

Everyone these days expects everyone to hand them things. Do you want to lose weight? Here’s a 10 second workout you can do, if you’ve time, that will lower your body fat. Do you want to make more money? Here’s my 7-second-to-read ebook on making your first million – if you’ve time to read it. We want answers, we want solutions and we want them within our shortened attention span! Want a movie? Get one in seconds now with streaming. So in this world of get, give me, I want, instead flip this and GIVE value first and expect nothing back! Imagine that! When you give of your talents, your gifts and most importantly – your undivided attention and time – people pick up on it. And funny enough because you’ve given them something, because of reciprocity, they’ll feel obliged to help you out. I’ve always tried to give value before expecting it. It works, try it and be patient with it!!

When you give of your talents, you gifts and most importantly – your undivided attention and time – people pick up on it.

Face your fears

Everyday we COULD face things we’re scared of. If we wanted. But we’re too used to people giving us things and solving our problems that we don’t even have to face our fears. It’s one thing I’ve always focused on – feeling afraid or nervous – and taking action anyway. Last night I did my first gig in a couple of months. Was I nervous? ABSOLUTELY! Would anyone know? Not at all. Why? Because I’ve spent the last few months practicing, learning my songs and making sure I was prepared when the opportunity came about. I asked in the hotel for an audition and faced my fears, and now I’ve a resident slot. It’s possible! Susan Jeffers book “Feel the fear and do it anyway” summarises it in the title! Be afraid, nothing good comes in your comfort zone.

Be afraid, nothing good comes in your comfort zone.

Patience

Overnight? No one made it overnight. It all takes time. Everything. Gary Vaynerchuk always says patience is the one thing our generation isn’t good at. I realised the value of it as I reflected on my successes over the past few years. No one sees the hours practice, the hours reading, the hours training. But you’re not doing this for other people, you spend the hours for you! Use them to build your confidence so when opportunity comes about you’re ready – and ready to enjoy your luck!

It all takes time. Everything.

Looking forward to hearing how you get on with these suggestions and if your luck has increased because of them!