At first glance, it might seem like lucky people are simply blessed with good fortune. They meet the right people, find themselves in the right places at the right times, and make the right decisions, often with what appears to be effortless ease. To an outsider, their luck seems almost magical—like an unseen force is guiding them toward success while others struggle to catch a break.
But what if luck isn’t about being chosen by fate?
What if luck is actually a byproduct of how people think, act, and move through the world?
Psychologists who study luck have found that lucky people consistently share common traits—behaviors and mindsets that make them more likely to encounter fortunate events. These individuals don’t sit around waiting for luck to find them. Instead, they create the conditions for luck to emerge. They are open to new possibilities, willing to take risks, and adaptable when things don’t go as planned. They trust their instincts, cultivate social connections, and maintain an expectation that good things will happen.
These qualities don’t make someone immune to bad luck. Everyone faces setbacks, obstacles, and misfortune at times. But the difference between lucky and unlucky people isn’t just what happens to them—it’s how they respond.
Lucky people tend to recover from setbacks faster because they view them as temporary and full of learning potential. They recognize patterns, opportunities, and moments of chance that others overlook. They take action when luck presents itself, instead of hesitating out of fear or self-doubt.
This chapter explores the traits that set lucky people apart—not as a mystical force, but as a learnable skillset. Because if luck is something that can be influenced, then it’s something that can be cultivated. And once we understand how luck works, we can start applying these principles to our own lives, increasing the odds of experiencing positive, life-changing moments.
How Lucky People Think and Act Differently
One of the most fascinating discoveries in the study of luck is that lucky people behave differently from unlucky people. Their mindset, habits, and approach to life all play a role in shaping the opportunities they encounter.
At first, this might seem counterintuitive. Isn’t luck supposed to be random? Shouldn’t fortunate and unfortunate events happen to people equally, without bias?
Yet, research suggests otherwise. Psychologist Richard Wiseman, one of the leading experts on the science of luck, spent years studying the behaviors and thought patterns of people who considered themselves either lucky or unlucky. His findings revealed a striking pattern: luck isn’t just about what happens to us—it’s about how we engage with the world.
Lucky people consistently share key traits that make them more likely to experience positive outcomes. They are more open, adaptable, and socially engaged. They trust their instincts and expect good things to happen. They also tend to embrace uncertainty, seeing change as a potential source of opportunity rather than a threat.
Unlucky people, on the other hand, often think and act in ways that limit their chances of encountering luck. They tend to be more anxious, cautious, and hesitant to step outside their comfort zone. They focus on what could go wrong, which blinds them to unexpected opportunities. They withdraw socially, reducing the likelihood of chance encounters that could lead to new possibilities.
These behavioral differences don’t mean that lucky people never face misfortune. Rather, it means that when luck does appear, they are better positioned to take advantage of it.
What Lucky People Do Differently
After analyzing hundreds of individuals, Wiseman identified five key behaviors that set lucky people apart:
- They are open to new experiences.
Lucky people tend to be curious and willing to try new things. They say yes to opportunities even when they don’t have all the details worked out. This openness increases the number of situations in which good fortune can arise. - They adapt easily when things don’t go as planned.
Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, lucky people view them as detours to something potentially even better. If a plan falls through, they pivot rather than dwell on disappointment. - They trust their instincts.
Rather than overanalyzing every decision, lucky people rely on gut feelings to guide them. They understand that intuition is often the subconscious mind recognizing patterns that the conscious mind hasn’t fully processed yet. - They expect good things to happen.
People who believe they are lucky tend to notice and capitalize on fortunate events more often. They interpret ambiguous situations in a way that benefits them, while unlucky people often do the opposite. - They are naturally more social.
Lucky people interact with a wide range of individuals, increasing their chances of meeting someone who can introduce them to new opportunities, ideas, or connections. Many life-changing moments happen through chance encounters, but only if you’re willing to engage with others.
What Unlucky People Do That Limits Their Luck
Unlucky people don’t necessarily experience more misfortune than others. The difference is how they react to setbacks and how they limit their own exposure to lucky moments.
Wiseman found that unlucky people tend to:
- Be more anxious and risk-averse.
Fear of failure prevents them from taking action, even when opportunities are in front of them. They avoid situations that involve uncertainty, which also means avoiding situations where luck can emerge. - Stick to routines and avoid new experiences.
Instead of stepping outside their comfort zone, unlucky people prefer familiarity. This reduces their chances of encountering unexpected opportunities. - Overthink decisions instead of trusting their instincts.
Unlucky individuals tend to analyze every possible outcome, often leading to paralysis by analysis. This hesitation means they frequently miss out on fleeting opportunities that require quick action. - Focus on what could go wrong rather than what could go right.
Because unlucky people expect bad things to happen, they are more likely to interpret neutral or even positive events as negative. This reinforces their belief that luck is never on their side. - Withdraw socially, missing out on potential opportunities.
Unlucky people often keep to themselves, reducing their chances of chance encounters or new connections that could open doors.
Why These Differences Matter
The contrast between lucky and unlucky people isn’t about some supernatural force choosing favorites. The difference lies in how they navigate life.
Lucky people put themselves in situations where luck is more likely to occur. They expose themselves to more opportunities, take more risks, and trust their ability to handle uncertainty.
Unlucky people, by contrast, limit their exposure to chance opportunities. Their cautious, risk-averse nature prevents them from seizing moments that could have led to something great.
This means that luck isn’t just about chance—it’s about choice.
And that choice is available to everyone.
The Power of Open-Mindedness and Adaptability
One of the strongest predictors of luck isn’t some mysterious force—it’s a person’s ability to stay open to new possibilities.
People who consider themselves lucky tend to be flexible in their thinking and actions, which makes them far more likely to recognize and seize unexpected opportunities. They don’t just rely on luck to fall into their lap; they create an environment where lucky breaks are more likely to appear.
The Difference Between Open and Rigid Thinking
Imagine two people searching for a job.
The first person has a rigid, narrow vision of what they want. They apply only to jobs that meet their exact criteria—specific title, salary, and company culture. If a position doesn’t fit their vision perfectly, they ignore it.
The second person, however, keeps an open mind. They apply broadly, considering industries and roles they may not have initially thought about. They are willing to explore different paths, even if they don’t align exactly with their initial plans.
Who is more likely to land an opportunity?
The second person.
By being adaptable and open to different options, they increase the number of doors that could potentially lead to a lucky break. The job they end up loving might not be one they originally imagined, but because they allowed themselves to explore, they gave luck a chance to work in their favor.
This principle applies to more than just job hunting.
Someone who is rigid in their beliefs, routines, and expectations will struggle to recognize lucky opportunities—even when they’re right in front of them. They will resist change, fear uncertainty, and overlook possibilities that don’t fit their preconceived notions.
But someone who is willing to explore, experiment, and adapt naturally positions themselves for more lucky breaks.
They take a different route home and unexpectedly run into an old friend who introduces them to a new opportunity.
They try a new hobby on a whim, which later turns into a full-time passion and career.
They say yes to an event they almost skipped, and it leads to a life-changing connection.
Luck doesn’t just favor those who wait—it favors those who are open to change and willing to embrace the unexpected.
Lucky People Don’t Fear Change—They Welcome It
One of the defining traits of lucky people is that they don’t resist change. They recognize that some of life’s most important moments come from things not going as planned.
Instead of seeing an unexpected detour as a setback, they see it as a potential new path.
Many of the world’s most successful people ended up where they are not because they meticulously planned every step—but because they allowed themselves to pivot when life presented them with new opportunities.
Instead of being paralyzed by fear when the unexpected happens, lucky people ask:
“What else could this lead to?”
Because luck often appears in disguise—not as an obvious golden opportunity, but as a small, unexpected shift that eventually leads to something greater.
The Role of Intuition in Lucky Decisions
Another key trait that separates lucky people from others is their ability to trust their instincts.
While logical decision-making is important, luck often favors those who are willing to make choices based on an intuitive feeling that something is right.
What Is Intuition, Really?
Intuition isn’t magic or a mystical power—it’s simply the brain processing information at a subconscious level.
When someone gets a strong feeling about a situation, it’s often because their mind has recognized patterns and signals that they aren’t consciously aware of.
For example, an experienced investor might sense that a deal feels off without being able to articulate exactly why. Later, they might realize they were subconsciously picking up on small inconsistencies in the pitch.
A person might get a strong gut feeling about a certain decision—whether it’s to approach a stranger, accept a job offer, or take a new route home. They may not have concrete reasoning for it, but their brain is processing years of stored experiences and observations, guiding them toward the best choice.
Why Lucky People Trust Their Instincts
Studies have shown that lucky people are more likely to follow their intuition when making decisions.
In Richard Wiseman’s research on luck, he found that people who considered themselves lucky were far more likely to act on gut feelings than those who saw themselves as unlucky.
When opportunities appeared, lucky people:
- Trusted themselves and acted quickly.
- Didn’t overanalyze every possible outcome.
- Took a chance even when they weren’t 100% sure of the results.
Unlucky people, on the other hand, hesitated.
- They second-guessed their instincts.
- They overthought every option.
- They waited for the “perfect moment”—which often never came.
This hesitation caused them to miss opportunities entirely.
While intuition isn’t foolproof, it is a valuable tool for making decisions in uncertain situations. Learning to trust it doesn’t mean ignoring logic—it means recognizing that sometimes, the best opportunities aren’t the ones that make the most rational sense on paper.
They’re the ones that feel right in the moment.
What This Means for You
The good news is that luck isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you can cultivate.
If lucky people share common traits, that means those traits can be developed over time.
Here’s how you can start inviting more luck into your life:
1. Be open to new experiences
- Say yes to things you wouldn’t normally consider.
- Try activities outside your comfort zone.
- Accept that luck often appears in unexpected forms.
2. Stay flexible when plans change
- Instead of resisting change, ask: “What new opportunity might come from this?”
- See detours as potential lucky breaks in disguise.
- Let go of rigid expectations and embrace the unknown.
3. Pay attention to your gut feelings
- Notice when a strong intuition arises.
- If something feels right, don’t ignore it.
- Learn to act on instinct instead of overanalyzing every decision.
4. Expect good things to happen
- Train yourself to look for opportunities in unexpected places.
- Assume that every setback could lead to something better.
- Maintain an optimistic mindset, which makes you more likely to notice positive chances.
5. Be more social and build connections
- Many of life’s lucky breaks come through other people.
- Say hello to a stranger, attend events, and engage in conversations.
- The more people you meet, the higher your chances of encountering serendipitous opportunities.
Luck Is a Mindset, Not Just a Coincidence
Luck isn’t just about random events. It’s about how you move through the world, how you respond to change, and how willing you are to embrace the unexpected.
People who consider themselves lucky create the conditions for luck to appear. They take chances, recognize opportunities, and put themselves in situations where good things are more likely to happen.
And that means luck isn’t just something that happens to you.
It’s something you can choose to cultivate.
The Role of Risk-Taking in Luck
For centuries, people have debated whether luck is a random force—a cosmic roll of the dice—or something that can be influenced by our actions. Many believe that luck is entirely beyond our control, a mysterious energy that either blesses us with opportunities or leaves us struggling to catch a break.
But when we look at the lives of people who consistently experience good fortune, a striking pattern emerges: they take more risks than those who consider themselves unlucky.
Luck Favors Action, Not Wishful Thinking
The idea that lucky people simply have better odds than the rest of us is misleading. In reality, luck is not just about chance—it’s about action.
Lucky people are not passive recipients of good fortune; they are active participants in shaping their luck. They don’t just wait for luck to knock on their door—they create the conditions for luck to appear.
This doesn’t mean that lucky people are reckless or impulsive. They don’t gamble their entire future on one blind leap of faith. Instead, they take small, calculated risks that increase their exposure to new opportunities.
The Myth of the Lucky Break
A common misconception is that lucky breaks happen purely by chance—as if some people are magically chosen to succeed while others are left behind. But in reality, every lucky break begins with an action:
- Applying for a job you don’t feel fully qualified for.
- Starting a conversation with a stranger who ends up changing your life.
- Taking a small step toward an idea, business, or skill—without knowing exactly where it will lead.
Each of these small risks creates opportunities that didn’t exist before.
- If you never send the job application, you never get hired.
- If you never introduce yourself, you never build the connection that could change your life.
- If you never start the project, you never see where it could take you.
By taking action, lucky people increase their exposure to situations where luck is more likely to occur. They put themselves in the right places, meet the right people, and create the right conditions for good fortune to unfold.
The Risk-Averse Mindset: How Unlucky People Miss Out
Unlucky people, on the other hand, often have a very different relationship with risk.
- They stay within their comfort zones, avoiding situations that feel unfamiliar or uncertain.
- They overthink decisions, convincing themselves that the timing isn’t right.
- They wait for the perfect moment—which rarely, if ever, comes.
As a result, they miss out on opportunities that could have changed their lives, not because they were truly unlucky, but because they never gave luck a chance to find them.
Imagine two people walking down the same street. One is alert, looking around, and open to possibilities. The other is staring at the ground, lost in their own thoughts. If an incredible opportunity appears—a celebrity looking for an assistant, a winning lottery ticket on the sidewalk, or a chance encounter with an old friend—who is more likely to notice it?
Luck doesn’t only favor those who are lucky. It favors those who are looking for it.
The Chain Reaction of Risk and Luck
One of the most fascinating aspects of luck is how tiny, seemingly insignificant choices can lead to massive, life-changing events.
Taking one small risk often triggers a chain reaction that leads to unexpected success:
- A chance meeting at a party turns into a lifelong friendship.
- A side project started on a whim becomes a multi-million-dollar business.
- A single social media post goes viral, launching a brand-new career.
These turning points didn’t happen because of random luck alone. They happened because someone took a risk—no matter how small—and created the possibility for something amazing to unfold.
Think about the most important moments in your life.
- The job you have now.
- The people who have influenced your journey.
- The experiences that have shaped who you are.
How many of these things happened because you took a risk—even if it was just a small one?
Now think about the opportunities you may have missed.
- A business idea you were too afraid to pursue.
- A relationship that never happened because you hesitated to make the first move.
- A chance to relocate, start fresh, or take on a challenge—but you talked yourself out of it.
We tend to think of “bad luck” as something that happens to us, but what if bad luck is often just the result of never taking action in the first place?
What This Chapter Will Explore
This chapter explores the direct connection between risk and luck, the way even tiny actions can trigger life-changing events, and real-life stories of people whose entire futures changed because they took a chance when it mattered most.
By the end, you’ll see that luck is not just about chance—it’s about the courage to take a step into the unknown. And once you understand this, you can start taking control of your own luck, one small risk at a time.
How Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Increases Lucky Breaks
Imagine two people standing at the edge of a river. The first hesitates, scanning the horizon for a perfectly constructed bridge before even considering crossing. They want to be absolutely sure that the path is safe, the conditions are ideal, and that they will reach the other side without any trouble.
The second person, however, sees the river and starts moving forward, stepping into the water and feeling their way across. Maybe they slip on a rock, maybe they take a longer route than expected, but because they took action, they make progress.
Who is more likely to reach the other side?
The answer is obvious: the one who takes the first step.
This metaphor perfectly illustrates how lucky and unlucky people approach life.
Why Waiting for Certainty Leads to Missed Opportunities
People who see themselves as unlucky tend to wait for perfect conditions before making a move. They want certainty, safety, and guarantees of success before they take a risk. They tell themselves:
- “I’ll start my business when I have everything figured out.”
- “I’ll ask for the promotion when I’m 100% sure my boss will say yes.”
- “I’ll pursue my dream when I have more time, money, or confidence.”
But life doesn’t work that way.
Perfect conditions rarely, if ever, come. There will always be uncertainty. There will always be unknowns. Those who wait for ideal circumstances spend years standing at the edge of the river, waiting for a bridge that never appears.
And in the process, they miss countless opportunities.
How Lucky People Approach the Unknown
Lucky people, on the other hand, don’t wait for a perfect opportunity. They create opportunities by moving forward even when the path isn’t completely clear.
- They apply for the job, even if they don’t meet every qualification.
- They start the side business, even if they aren’t sure it will succeed.
- They say yes to invitations, even if they don’t know where they will lead.
This doesn’t mean lucky people act recklessly. They still make informed decisions, weigh risks, and trust their instincts. But they don’t let fear of the unknown stop them from taking action.
They understand that the simple act of stepping forward—even into uncertainty—creates opportunities that would never have existed otherwise.
This is why people who take risks seem to have “luck” on their side. They increase their exposure to possibility, while unlucky people stay trapped in hesitation.
The Science Behind Luck and Taking Action
Psychologists have studied the connection between luck and risk-taking and found that people who experience more lucky breaks are:
- More open to new experiences. They say yes more often, putting themselves in situations where unexpected opportunities arise.
- Less afraid of failure. They don’t see setbacks as disasters; they see them as stepping stones.
- Quicker to take action. They don’t overanalyze every decision, waiting until the “perfect” moment—they make the best move they can with the information they have.
One of the most famous studies on this was conducted by Richard Wiseman, a psychologist who spent years researching lucky and unlucky people. He found that lucky people don’t just stumble into good fortune—they create it by being more willing to act on opportunities, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
In one experiment, he placed an ad in a newspaper, offering an opportunity for people to participate in a “luck study.” Participants were divided into two groups:
- Group 1: People who considered themselves lucky in life.
- Group 2: People who believed they were unlucky.
Wiseman gave each person a newspaper and asked them to count how many photographs were inside.
What the participants didn’t know was that halfway through the newspaper, there was a large message in bold letters that read:
“Stop counting. There are 43 photos in this newspaper.”
What happened?
- The “lucky” people noticed the message immediately. They saw it, followed the instruction, and quickly completed the task.
- The “unlucky” people missed it entirely. They were so focused on carefully counting each photo that they didn’t see the obvious sign telling them the answer.
The lesson?
Lucky people are more open to the unexpected. They aren’t just looking for what they expect to find—they are paying attention to everything. This openness allows them to notice and act on opportunities faster, while unlucky people are often so focused on playing it safe that they miss obvious chances right in front of them.
What Happens When You Start Taking More Small Risks?
Once you start stepping out of your comfort zone—even in small ways—you create a ripple effect that can change your entire future.
- Trying something new today could lead to an unexpected skill or passion.
- Introducing yourself to someone new could result in a career-changing connection.
- Saying yes to an unfamiliar experience could open doors you never knew existed.
Every time you push past hesitation and take a step forward, you increase the number of opportunities available to you.
Real-Life Examples: The Power of Taking a Chance
Many of the biggest success stories in history started with a small but bold decision—one where the person could have hesitated, but instead chose to act.
Howard Schultz – Taking a Risk on Starbucks
In the early 1980s, Howard Schultz was working as a sales director for a company that sold coffee makers. One day, he noticed that a small coffee shop in Seattle—Starbucks—was buying an unusually high number of machines.
Curious, he flew to Seattle to see what made Starbucks different. He fell in love with the idea of high-quality coffee culture and approached the owners with a bold idea: expand Starbucks into a nationwide coffee empire.
The owners rejected his idea—they weren’t interested in growing the business.
Most people would have given up at that point.
Instead, Schultz took a risk.
He quit his job, raised money from investors, and bought Starbucks himself.
Today, Starbucks is a global brand with over 30,000 locations worldwide.
It all started with a single decision to take a risk on an idea that wasn’t a sure thing.
J.K. Rowling – Sending Out the Manuscript One More Time
Before she became one of the most successful authors in history, J.K. Rowling was struggling.
She had written Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but every publisher rejected it. She could have given up after 5, 10, or 15 rejections.
Instead, she took a risk and sent it out again—one more time.
The manuscript landed at Bloomsbury Publishing, where an editor’s 8-year-old daughter read the first few chapters and begged to read more.
That small risk—sending the manuscript to one more publisher—changed literary history forever.
Had she hesitated, had she given up after rejection, Harry Potter would have never existed.
Final Thoughts: Luck Rewards Those Who Take the First Step
The difference between lucky and unlucky people isn’t fate—it’s action.
If you wait for perfect certainty, the right time, or guaranteed success, you will spend your life standing on the riverbank, never crossing.
But if you step forward, even when you don’t have all the answers, you create opportunities that never would have existed otherwise.
Luck doesn’t favor those who wait.
It favors those who take the leap.