When something fortunate happens out of the blue—a missed flight that saves your life, or a stranger’s tip that leads to your dream job—it’s easy to shrug it off as “just luck.” But what if luck isn’t purely random? What if, instead of waiting on fate, you could actually become a luckier person?
It turns out science has been quietly unpacking the mystery of luck for decades, and the findings are more practical—and empowering—than you might think.
Luck Isn’t Magic, It’s Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Richard Wiseman, one of the foremost researchers on the psychology of luck, conducted a ten-year study on people who considered themselves either lucky or unlucky. What he found was striking: lucky people weren’t winning lotteries or dodging disasters through supernatural means—they simply approached life differently.
According to Wiseman, lucky people tend to be more open to new experiences, maintain a positive outlook, and are highly observant of their surroundings. They create and notice opportunities that others might overlook. In other words, they make their own luck by staying open to chance and flexible in their thinking.
The Four Principles of Luck
Dr. Wiseman outlined four key principles that “lucky” people tend to follow, whether consciously or not:
- Maximize Chance Opportunities – Lucky people often network widely, try new things, and maintain a relaxed attitude that allows them to notice unexpected possibilities.
- Listen to Lucky Hunches – Intuition plays a big role. People who trust their gut—and also take time to cultivate self-awareness—make decisions that often lead to lucky outcomes.
- Expect Good Fortune – Optimism matters. People who expect positive outcomes are more likely to persist through challenges and bounce back from setbacks, increasing the odds of success.
- Turn Bad Luck into Good – Even when things go wrong, lucky people tend to reframe the situation in a way that leads to future benefit. This resilience creates a feedback loop that improves their chances next time.
The Role of Cognitive Bias and Behavior
Our brains are wired to seek patterns and explanations. So if you believe you’re unlucky, your mind will reinforce that narrative by selectively noticing and remembering negative outcomes. This is known as confirmation bias. On the flip side, those who believe they’re lucky tend to focus on the wins—even small ones—reinforcing a cycle of positivity and attentiveness that invites more opportunities.
Moreover, behaviors matter. Lucky people are often more proactive. They speak up, explore unfamiliar options, and stay socially connected—all of which increase their exposure to potentially life-changing encounters.
Can You Train Yourself to Be Luckier?
The good news? Yes, luck can be cultivated. Wiseman developed exercises that helped self-identified “unlucky” individuals become measurably luckier over time. These included journaling about positive experiences, practicing mindfulness to improve intuition, and purposefully stepping outside one’s routine.
In one study, 80% of participants reported increased luck and life satisfaction after just a month of these practices.
It turns out that “luck” isn’t some rare, mystical force reserved for the chosen few. It’s more like a skill—a blend of attitude, awareness, and action.
In the Real World
Think of the entrepreneur who meets a key investor at a wedding because they struck up a casual conversation. Or the job seeker who gets hired after sending a follow-up email on a whim. These are not mere coincidences—they’re micro-examples of opportunity meeting readiness, which is often mistaken for pure chance.
Redefining Luck
So, can you actually get luckier? According to science, absolutely. Luck isn’t just about being in the right place at the right time—it’s about being the kind of person who notices the door slightly ajar and has the courage to walk through it.
By shifting your mindset, staying open to possibility, trusting your instincts, and being resilient in the face of setbacks, you don’t just wait for good fortune—you invite it.
As the old saying goes, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” The science says: make your own.
