Why do some people feel lucky in life, while others don’t? And is that truly the case?
Could it be that people who believe they are lucky actually do experience more luck? These are the kinds of questions British psychologist Richard Wiseman asked himself—one of the few psychologists to take such seemingly trivial questions seriously.
Wiseman conducted a proper scientific study on this topic. At the beginning of his experiment, he divided participants into two groups. In the first group were people who believed they were unlucky in life; the second group consisted of people who believed they were lucky. Both groups were given the same task: flip through a newspaper and count how many photographs were in it. In the middle of the newspaper was a large message: “Tell the experimenter you’ve seen this message and you’ll receive £250.”
Wiseman’s research showed that the people who considered themselves lucky were far more likely to notice the message than those who thought of themselves as unlucky. It was those “lucky” individuals who ended up claiming the £250 reward, reinforcing their belief that good things happen to them. The message was fairly noticeable—but not to those who were rigidly focused on completing the task.
From these results, Wiseman concluded that an open mind to unexpected opportunities is what generates lucky circumstances, which in turn reinforces people’s beliefs that they are fortunate.
Of course, no matter how lucky someone thinks they are, nobody is immune to misfortune. Everyone faces setbacks now and then. But people who see themselves as lucky tend to focus on the silver lining, while those who see themselves as unlucky stay fixated on the problem, the loss, or the misstep.
Unlucky individuals often become overly attached to a single path or goal. They fixate on how things should unfold, and when reality doesn’t follow that plan, they feel disappointed. This attachment narrows their field of vision and limits their options. On the other hand, people who believe they are lucky don’t cling so tightly to a fixed plan. They’re more relaxed and open-minded, allowing them to notice opportunities beyond what they were originally seeking.
Take, for example, someone who wants to change jobs or find a partner. If all they do is apply to job ads or scroll through dating profiles at home, their chances of success are lower than if they were out socializing and actively engaging with life. Being open to all kinds of connections creates new pathways—some of which may lead to the very change they’re seeking. Luck is definitely not a straight line.
Or consider Einstein. When faced with a problem, he would sit at the piano and play. By surrendering to music, he opened himself to creative insights. He behaved just like the “lucky” participants in Wiseman’s study—able to let go of rigid plans and remain open to finding solutions beyond logic’s reach.
In contrast, people who consider themselves unlucky tend to look for tools that feel out of reach. For instance: “If only I had more money, I could explore my creativity,” or “If only I had more confidence, better job offers would come my way.” While these statements may contain truth, focusing on what we lack makes us feel powerless. But when we accept our current circumstances as they are, we can spot the opportunities within them—opportunities that may lead to meaningful change.
Based on his research, Wiseman concluded that the key difference between those who feel lucky and those who don’t lies in their mindset and perception of reality.
Unlucky individuals tend to have a small social circle and rarely share their plans, ideas, or dreams with others. They are more logic-driven, and once they’ve made a plan, they stick to it rigidly. They often expect bad luck in the future, which leads to pessimism and makes it harder for them to recognize new opportunities. They also struggle to find anything positive in adversity and therefore have a tougher time coping with life’s challenges.
In contrast, lucky individuals are more open. They have a wide network of friends and acquaintances with whom they openly discuss their goals, ideas, and experiences. These friends often offer suggestions, insights, or connections that expand the range of possibilities available to them.
Then there’s intuition. People who feel lucky don’t rely only on logic—they also listen to their gut feelings. They’re flexible, and they don’t believe there’s only one way to reach a goal. They’re willing to explore different paths, which increases their chances of success.
People who consider themselves lucky also expect to be lucky in the future. This optimism helps them get through hard times more easily. They’re attuned to what makes them happy, so they’re better at spotting opportunities when they arise. And when something bad happens, they look for the hidden blessing. This mindset keeps them in good spirits and open to people and the world around them.
So, if you’ve believed that luck is all about fate or your horoscope, maybe it’s time to shift your perspective. Here’s to opening up to new possibilities—and may luck be on your side!
Tomica Šćavina ©
