If you’re looking for information about a man named Jack who sells medical marijuana, you’re in the wrong place. He probably lives in California. I won’t be talking about that kind of Jack Pot, here.
Are you lucky when it comes to winning contests? I’m not. If I do win, it’s usually something that I don’t want. For instance, I won a frozen turkey from a radio station in 1982. It reminds me of that classic episode of Friends when…
I’ve never won the lottery, hit the Jackpot in Las Vegas, or won anything worth talking about…except the frozen turkey. Even so, I don’t consider myself to be unlucky.
In life, we make our own luck. To be lucky in life, the first thing you have to do is…
place yourself in the path of opportunity
You’ll never win the contest if you don’t enter. You’ll never land the big job if your resume isn’t in the stack. A friend will never let you borrow his car if you don’t have any friends…or if they all travel by bike and bus. Secondly…
stop believing that luck only happens by chance
Not so. That’s why I never tell successful people that their success was based on luck.
You’re so lucky to be doing good at work…to be in shape…to have a degree…to have great kids…blah, blah, blah.
To tell someone that their achievements are based on luck is a sign of jealousy. It also disrespects all the hard work they put into reaching their goals. Instead, admire them. Emulate them. Don’t scream and curse at the sky for not making you as lucky. Sure, some people are better positioned than others in the game of life, but that doesn’t mean we can’t come from behind with our lucky rabbit feet and cross the finish line just as fast.
Do you consider yourself lucky?
Important PSA #1
Via use of the random number generator on random.org, the winner of the Glitter and Glam Giveaway is Jo from Shoveling in a Jo Storm. Congratulations, Jo!
Important PSA #2
I recently won a coupon code for a 2010 e-file with TurboTax from 24 7 Victoria. I already filed my taxes and can’t use it. So, f you procrastinated about next Monday’s tax deadline and could make use of TurboTax, leave a comment and I’ll send you the code. The first person who asks, gets it. U.S. residents only.
The Chameleon's Backbone 
Posted by Liane on April 12, 2011 at 3:31 am
“Place yourself in the path of opportunity.” That is some good advice, Tracy. A very big deal in my life right now – making some big changes. It is true: if no one knows about you then why would they need anything from you, i.e opportunity? Some placements is just slightly harder than others. Sometimes I’m challenged by believing in myself. It plays a big role in where you place yourself, or whether you place yourself at all or not.
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Some paths are easier to place yourself upon than others. Best of luck with the big changes. I’m anxious to hear all about it on your cool blog in the future!
Posted by Diane Tibert on April 12, 2011 at 5:36 am
Turkeys won from radio statons remind me of the WKRP episode where Les, the newsman, had a promotion of giving away turkeys. And threw them from a helicopter. He thought turkeys could fly. Lots of mess. It was so funny, I remember it to this day.
I agree with you; there’s a lot of hard work in being lucky. I get “You’re so lucky to have great kids” line. Don’t these people realise the personal sacrifices I make to be so lucky? Gosh.
We all have luck. Some just work harder at getting more.
Great post, Tracy.
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I remember WKRP, but not that episode. I can only imagine! Use the response “It wasn’t luck – I worked really hard at raising my children to be great” and see what type of reaction you get. Could be interesting.
Posted by Diane Tibert on April 12, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Perhaps I will do as you suggested, Tracy, just to see the look on their face.
Posted by Carol Ann Hoel on April 12, 2011 at 9:05 am
Don’t need Turbo Tax. Refund in hand. But thank you for the offer. I hope someone gets it who needs it.
I consider myself blessed. I appreciate your post. I don’t believe luck has much to do with anything. Happenstance is not luck either. Blessings to you, Tracy…
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Refund – yahoooooo! I haven’t had one of those in years… :-(.
Posted by Rae on April 12, 2011 at 9:12 am
I agree that luck is something we make for ourselves. Apparently, I don’t own the recipe! lol
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 5:34 pm
I wish it was as easy as some flour and a dash of salt, but the recipe for luck is unwritten and different depending on who’s the chef.
Posted by SuziCate on April 12, 2011 at 10:14 am
Loved that turkey episode! Remember Joey’s pregger pants…was that even the same or a different episode?!
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 5:32 pm
I totally forgot about the pregger pants – hahahahha!
Posted by Dawn@LightenUp! on April 12, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I don’t need the tax code – save it for some poor schmuck who hasn’t filed yet. Just wanted to say how much I love your pep talk here! Damn straight – can’tget the job if your resume isn’t in the pile! Nice, Tracy!!
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Thanks Dawn! I haven’t used the word schmuck for a while now – it’s time it make a comeback!
Posted by Stephanie Faris on April 12, 2011 at 4:59 pm
I keep remembering that Wayne Gretzky saying, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” So I keep taking shots…all I can do is try, right?
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 6:08 pm
That’s right Stephanie – keep skating taking shots at the goal.
Posted by Jo Schaffer on April 12, 2011 at 5:04 pm
I really liked this post. Totally agree with–
“To tell someone that their achievements are based on luck is a sign of jealousy. It also disrespects all the hard work they put into reaching their goals. Instead, admire them. Emulate them.”
And Thank you for the giveaway! I won! Was it luck? (=
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Well, you DID put yourself in the path of opportunity by entering, but to be the actual winner was just luck of the draw.
Posted by MPax on April 12, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I think there are lucky breaks and they take longer for some than others, but those who get the break did have to work for it. Although a lot who don’t, work hard, too.
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 6:14 pm
True in life, for sure. One day, I’d like to walk into a casino, drop 25 cents into a machine and win the megabucks on the first spin. That wouldn’t take too much work, and would rank high on the lucky scale.
Posted by Amber on April 12, 2011 at 8:57 pm
I have to say, I LOVE that episode of Friends…
Posted by Tracy on April 12, 2011 at 11:04 pm
It was a good one, for sure!
Posted by bridgesburning on April 13, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I am lucky in so many things. Money wise have had periods of luck and I knew when I held winners ..once 10 grand..once a third of that..but it seems to be sporadic..