Become a Master of Luck

Shoup helps us understand how recognizing luck for what it is-an illusion, nearly a trick of the mind-is liberating and empowering, so that we learn to take responsibility in many areas of life where we might have previously felt hindered or stalled. He delineates how to get the power of luck working for us.

o Have faith, since there is always a direct connection between positive expectations and receiving good things in our lives.
o Develop a sense of appreciation for life. This attracts more positive things in our lives and brightens our outlook.
o Learn to get in flow, a state in which you can accomplish prodigious things and reap wonderful rewards from many activities in your life.
o Position yourself where good things are happening, which involves making changes to put ourselves in good luck's way.
o Put more trust in your intuition. The author explains that insights are not born "out of thin air." They well up from many small, unconscious messages we have received and stored up-until the point of readiness.
o Make choices. Like intuition, choices often present themselves as opportunities to claim positive outcomes and good luck.
o Be passionate about life, being involved in activities that bring real joy, so that we live luckier and reap greater rewards.
o Gather knowledge wherever you can. This means that you absorb, observe and learn before you act, and you also find ways to minimise the risk, gathering knowledge from people who've "been there." This improves the odds of a "lucky" outcome.
o Take action. The author says, "And if good luck doesn't answer, kick the door down!"