Research shows that chance really does favor \u201cthose in motion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It really is quite simple: when it comes to luck, one way we can change it is by creating more variables for ourselves. The idea is that the more motion we create, the better our chance of potentially changing our lives and turning them around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a recent Facebook post, Professor Sean Johnson discussed this idea, referencing the book Chase, Chance, and Creativity: The Lucky Art of Novelty by clinical neurologist and researcher James Austin. In the book, Austin lays out the \u201cfour kinds of luck: blind luck, luck from motion, luck from awareness, and unique luck.\u201d Johnson focuses on Austin\u2019s second concept. Essentially, he reiterates that the more we \u201ccollide\u201d with other ideas, people, and plans, the more chances we have for a positive outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nOver a video clip with a chyron reading \u201cHow to create more luck,\u201d Johnson shares, \u201cYou need to go outside and meet more strangers. It\u2019s not me, this is science, actually. In 1978, James Austin proposed four types of luck. And the second was being called \u2018The Kettering Principle,\u2019 which basically says that \u2018chance favors those in motion.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, curiosity, exploration, and movement create collisions that can create lucky breaks. This obviously applies to networks. When you\u2019re stationary, your probability of luck is limited to people you already know. But when you increase your movement, your collision rate with people will increase.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talk to strangers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Next, Johnson references psychologist\u00a0Richard Wiseman\u2019s\u00a0ten-year\u00a0study\u00a0that, he says, \u201ctracked self-described lucky and unlucky people.\u201d He points out the conclusion, which was that \u201clucky people talked to strangers more and were more willing to vary their routines and take invitations or give invitations. So if you want more opportunities, you just need to make more collisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He gives concrete examples. \u201cGoing to events. Sharing things on platforms like LinkedIn, or here (Facebook), or speaking on podcasts or in front of groups. Going to network events, hosting network events. Hosting events is amazing. Hosting a three-hour dinner for six to eight people, I get that it\u2019s hard. It creates discomfort, but inertia is a real thing. And I think COVID, especially, turned us all into resting bodies. But you got to do it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re trying to build revenue or just change your luck, Johnson claims the same prescription is necessary. \u201cLeave your house. Leave the comfort of your office. Have coffee. Go to that conference. Say \u2018yes\u2019 to that dinner. Share your point of view. Send a thoughtful email to someone who doesn\u2019t know you yet. Shoot your shot, have more collisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nYou don\u2019t stumble on things sitting down<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With regard to the Kettering Principle, both Johnson and Austin are referring to inventor and businessman\u00a0Charles F. Kettering, who had incredibly profound\u00a0insight. He was quoted as once saying, \u201cYou will never stub your toe standing still. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kettering was also reported to have said, \u201cKeep on going, and chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His point was clear: movement creates chances and can therefore change your luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u2018Yes Man\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The 2008 Peyton Reed-directed film\u00a0Yes Man, based on Danny Wallace\u2019s memoir of the same name, tackles this concept comedically. In the movie, Jim Carrey\u2019s character has chosen to answer \u201cYes\u201d to absolutely anything presented to him. While this leads to some cinematic hijinks, the idea still remains: forward motion leads to possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The comments under Johnson\u2019s Facebook post are also quite thoughtful and supportive of the idea. One Facebooker writes in part, \u201cI\u2019ve learned that getting out, meeting people, and trying new experiences has led to connections, unexpected opportunities, and memories I never would\u2019ve had otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few introverts pushed back, with one sharing, \u201cWhile Carl Jung says, \u2018No matter how isolated you are and how lonely you feel, if you do your work truly and conscientiously, unknown friends will come and seek you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And of course, \u201ccollisions\u201d don\u2019t always yield positive outcomes. One person contends, \u201cLuck goes both ways. There is good luck and bad luck. Increased motion increases chances of both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the day, it\u2019s the possibilities that count. As this commenter put it, \u201cThis is true. We were born to live.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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