VLP
The Sunday Feed
On my visit to the library, I came across this book called, “Conscious Luck” by Gay Hendricks and Carol Kline. With a lot of skeptical attitude, I did pick it up and thought I will just glance through it while sipping into my Latte.
Well, to my surprise, I found the book very interesting as it was not only written quite nicely, it also did not have the strict regime you need to follow like a training plan where the personal trainer tells you to do 1000 pushups everyday and eat 8 meals weighing no more than 200gm, each with a 40% protein content!
According to the authors, there are top 8 things you can do to become lucky. Of course, the explanation given here is of my own or else it will be deemed as plagiarism.
1. VLP: Very Lucky Person
The authors say that you should commit to transform into a VLP. What they mean is that you need to change your mindset and start considering yourself to be a very lucky person.
I guess, once you have made the paradigm shift, the results will start to show. Simple to understand but difficult to execute.
2. Release your personal barriers to growth
I think we all have those hidden traitors that stop us from achieving things which we are quite capable of. Easier said than done, this does act as a major barrier.
To put it in an example, you will not look good in a very expensive suit if you internally keep affirming that you do not deserve it. When you buy or wear something that is more expensive than your usual clothes, always tell yourself, you’re worth it. Walk with grace!
3. Have Luck worthy goals
Whether you are doing a 9–5 or run your own business, you need to develop a knack of identifying things that involve serendipity. The first thing you need to do it put your name in there when you spot an opportunity.
After doing all the hard work, you can affirm the first 2 points and make it happen. Luck comes with a 50% probability, which in statistical terms is very high.
4. Let go of the Shame
A lot of us start new ventures that do not exactly go the way we intend them to. We pull back and go into a shell. This is a very good thing. But only for a limited time though.
After a little rest, you need to let go of the feeling. Dust the emotions of defeat, regroup, and start all over again. This time, with much more vigor and conviction. Remember, now you are equipped with the knowledge of all the things you did not do correctly the first time.
5. Take Bold Action
This is something that is more metaphorical than literal. Everyone knows that starting a side hustle can take you from nothing to something so huge that suddenly you will be in the reckoning.
What action is deemed as bold is a rather subjective thing so it does not have a linear explanation, but the bottom line is that once you have estimated your risk-taking capacity, go all in. Life is too short for sitting on the sidelines.
6. Find your Lucky Tribe
A lot of people talk about 3 types of communication — Written, Verbal and Body Language. The one thing that no one really understands is the composite of all these 3 — the Vibe.
When you surround yourself with people with good vibes, you will have a major shift in the way you feel. You will be much happier as the people who surround you will be more willing to help you and luck will automatically become a consistent factor.
7. Timing is everything
I think this is one factor that has stopped many people from becoming what they could have. Procrastination is a mother of all things that were lost in time. It is funny how we become so good at story-telling that we always seem to convince ourselves how we should push things to the following day.
This however does not happen when we need to stop buying shares when everyone is doing even though we know that the technical analysis is pointing to a downward trend. Then we get emotionally attached to the share and never let it go even if it is on a downhill run.
8. Pay Gratitude
There is no bigger sin than taking things for granted. Different people have different beliefs, but we should not forget that someone or something is working very hard to protect you from dying.
God, Universe or even your internal organs need to be thanked everyday for keeping you alive and healthy. As Tim Denning one of the popular writers on “Medium” says that “If your heart is beating, you are a billionaire.”
Now for the moment of truth, I did try to see if all this really works or is it just another feel-good exercise. So, I took a screen shot of the 8 points and saved it as a screen saver on my phone.
Lo and behold, the things I had been waiting for a few months suddenly started to appear magically. I know it is not a matter of coincidence. And even if it were, I will have to call it a “Lucky coincidence.”
Lastly, I think if it can work for me, there is no reason it cannot work for you. And if you do need the screen shot, just message me. I’ll be more than happy to share it because if you decided to put everything aside for a few minutes and read this essay, I will call myself “Lucky.” Lucky to have your attention and support!
John Khalkho: CEO — Dolores Education