Your Lucky Break

You probably didn’t become a stellar success by wishing on a star or knocking on wood. You did it with dedication, hard work and maybe a little luck.

Who among us couldn’t use a dose of good luck every now and then? When it comes to getting ahead, you’ve got to make your own luck, according to new research.

How can you get lucky more often?

“I believe hard work creates lucky breaks,” author of five New York Times bestsellers Emily Giffin tells PINK. She attributes her own success more to luck as a result of hard work and determination than raw talent.

Experts say having an open mind and being optimistic is key. Take a chance on an employee you have a good feeling about, make a new investment and focus on the 

positive outcome of a project or business deal. Studies show this can-do attitude can also increase customer satisfaction, productivity and reduce stress.

Creating luck is all about taking chances, says Quint Careers. They suggest avoiding assumptions, playing the odds and always taking the initiative. Susan Roane’s book How to Create Your Own Luck recommends straying from the path, making gracious exits and talking to strangers.

Some lucky women say it helps to constantly have a plan, maintain a schedule, avoid procrastinating and finish everything they start, adds Shine.

Bonus PINK Link: Consider yourself unlucky? Here’s how to turn your luck around.

By Megan Hylton

“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” Oprah Winfrey