How to get Lucky

If You're the Type that Doesnt Want to Sit Around and Wait

- We've recently passed Groundhog's day and it's almost St. Patrick's day where people celebrate "the luck of the Irish." I thought a perfect time to share a helpful tactic that helped me to find my pot of gold. - Coach Jay

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Seneca (Roman Philosopher)

I hate those "self-talk" moments filled with reminders of being grateful for what you have but deep down still wishing that a little luck would come your way.

Then that annoying voice speaks up and says something to the tune of, "How do you expect to get something different, without doing something different?"

And then you'd just like to punch it right in the face, but it's you...

If you're like me, you've likely felt, on more than one occasion, as if you've replaced Bill Murray in the 1993 comedy, Groundhog Day.

I wouldn't advise stepping in front of the bus, like Bill does in one scene, as I'm pretty sure you won't wake up the next morning feeling ready for a new day, if at all. There's more hope.

The whole point of the movie is about changing your routine positively by helping others and pursuing new things depicted in that sorta sappy Hollywood style. I wont bore you on reiterating the movie's premise, nor convince you that you can solve your problems through emulating a fairytale-type movie.

I'd rather dumb it down (even further).

Make it a game, with numbers.

Measure "efforts" not just results.

This will help you create the data and habit development needed as the perquisite to hit those results.

STEP ONE (Collect data)

The 100% Concept

- Simply log one "effort" each time you do something that applies to your goal as 1%. Then add the second entry as 2% and so forth, until you reach 100%. Using this concept, you've hypothetically improved by 100%.

(this also helps improve the psyche by documenting success if you've typically been missing your targets.)

For Example: My Goal to $ 1million w/ Work-Life Balance

(These are actual entries from my log that I condensed for the example)

• 1% Started Log to track

• 2% Went to the coffee shop vs. staying in the office, met someone new who might be interested in my business

• 3% Cleaned off my desk

• 4% Woke up early and worked out, got home early for dinner

• 5% Woke up early meditated

• 6% Woke up early and started with motivational videos

• 7% Negotiated with a potential new hire to add to the team

• 8% etc

At some point, you'll at least have enough entries to review;

(even if you don't reach 100%)

A. how much effort did I really apply

and/or

B. what results came from my efforts.

STEP TWO ( Increase Your Odds)

Simply review which efforts created results and which ones didn't.

Simple, not easy.

It sucks to be disciplined sometimes. And, if you're over-confident you will be humbled by your findings. That annoying voice will pop back into your head calling you out for the excuses you've made. But at least now, you have a tool to use in your pocket so that you can apply this new information and experience to push harder, this time more effectively.

Being fully transparent, I was re-reading my 100% Log and it was definitely humbling, if not a little embarrassing. I had both dates and feelings journaled where there was absolutely some emotion added as well as time lapse between entries. One entry said, " feeling paralysis by analysis right now and don't even know why I'm doing this..." But, in my defense I did follow through with more entries and yes they did get better, hahaha. It should be obvious that my last entry wasn't me reinacting the Groundhog scene stepping in front of the bus.

Using the 100% concept taught me a lot about myself, forced me to be accountable, and to get out of my comfort zone by consistently being focused on logging my efforts, thus leading to results.

The only thing from keeping you from luck is not setting yourself up to have it!

Don't have time? Read more about a solution for this with, "Too busy, So Was I..."

"When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful."

- Eric Thomas