Optimism is a force multiplier.  There are many indications of that in life.  The Wall Street Journal recently covered the value of momentum or being in the zone in sporting events.  There is a certain positive force attributed to success or thinking you are going to have success.  Successful organizations have optimistic and mentally tough people.  The adage of the harder I work the luckier I am, has merit. Lucky people are just people who don’t stop until they succeed.  Positive people generally surround themselves with positive people. Luck boils down to preparation.  When an opportunity comes along you are ready and in a position to receive it, that’s when luck happens. 

In Irish folk fore, a young warrior’s first task was to catch a hare, and then he’d walk into battle wearing the rabbit’s foot around his neck.  It wasn’t a magical lucky charm, it was a reminder that he could get home safely because of his hard work and preparation.  Sometimes we forget that we are lucky.  If you wake up and tell yourself you are going to have an amazing day, you will often ride a wave of serendipity. It is one of the reasons I like to listen to uplifting music or comedy first thing in the morning just to start the day with a smile.

You can’t allow yourself to dwell on negative energy or unhealthy patterns. Focus on what’s working and use it as a foundation.  When you allow less than ideal situations or setbacks be your primary focus, you push yourself farther from your own rainbow.  The bottom line is there is energy in our environment that flows in predictable cycles that influence the situations we draw into our lives.  We can influence our luck by being aware that it exists and putting in strategies to improve our “luck”.  Often times it starts with a smile and positive attitude.