Luck is one of those things that seems to be bestowed upon a few while avoiding others altogether. We’ve all said it at one time or another: “He’s just lucky,” or “She has all the luck.” But is luck purely a matter of chance, or could there be deeper, more scientific reasons why some people seem to have better luck than others? But what if that was not luck at all and what if it is not random? What if there are actually people who are born to be “lucky”? This would have been examined through how things like genetics, mindset, and even childhood experiences create a person’s luck.
The Science of Luck: Is There a Formula?
First, let’s define what we mean by “luck.” Generally, it refers to the success or good fortune that seems to happen by chance rather than because of one’s actions. But for those who believe in it, luck doesn’t always seem so left up to the whims of chance. Many people who consider themselves lucky report an unusual number of positive coincidences, or opportunities that seem to come out of nowhere. But what if luck wasn’t purely a random affair and hence predictable, its course determined by factors that actually create those ‘lucky’ happenings?
Genetic Factors: A Biological Basis for Luck
Might a genetic component account for some individuals to be “luckier” than others? Recent research suggests genes might play a part in how we react to our environment and the opportunities given to us. Although there is not one specific “lucky gene,” perhaps specific genetic tendencies predispose people to take more risks, have resilience, or even be open to new experiences-all traits typically ascribed to being lucky.
Indeed, studies have proved that the carriers of the dopamine receptor gene, specifically the DRD4 gene, are more adventurous and prone to risk. Hence, taking risks allows one to stumble upon things not expected-that one may call “luck.” Individuals with such a genetic tendency may be more likely to put themselves in situations that will lead them to more opportunities and thus create more chances of lucky breaks.
Other relevant characteristics that could have a genetic component include optimism and robustness. It is those naturally more optimistic in their outlook on life who can then be said to be better situated to view the occurrence of a chance event as a good fortune than otherwise; and by thus being better situated, they thereby are in an advantageous position where, at all, they have the opportunity of making the most out of their favorable situation.
The Role of Mindset: How Perception Shapes Luck
The core of how we perceive and act upon the events happening in our lives rests within the mindset. Dr. Richard Wiseman, who did studies on the psychology of luck, described one of the critical features that made “lucky” people different from “unlucky” ones: all those features are basically about mindset. Lucky people are more open to new experiences and have an optimistic view of life. They do treat the set back as temporary and often believe that something can be done to modify life circumstances.
On the other hand, unlucky people dwell upon negative elements of events. They are more likely to dwell on all bad things that happened and can even develop a self-fulfilling prophecy: the more they believe themselves to be unlucky, the more they notice and focus on their misfortunes. This reinforces their view of themselves as “unlucky” even though the situations may not inherently be all that bad.
Furthermore, individuals who perceive themselves as being lucky are also most likely to leave their comfort zone in an effort to create opportunities. They tend to be outgoing and establish social networks for creating opportunities that may make good things happen. This can be explained by the fact that the ability to be in contact with a wide network, to know everybody and anybody, raises the chances of becoming “lucky” in finding such situations: getting that job through connections or finding out about that little-known restaurant because they also know just that person to approach.
In this sense, luck can be a self-reinforcing cycle: a positive, open mindset makes people perceive more opportunities and take more chances, which in turn creates more situations in which they can actually experience luck. This is sometimes called “luck mindset,” and what it really implies is that the way you look at the world around you influences your perception of luck directly and your capability to make the most of it.
Childhood Experiences: The Bedrock of Luck
Childhood is another important building block that sets one’s course in life to be labeled as “lucky” or otherwise. Evidence suggests that early childhood environment may set the building blocks for developing key personality traits like resilience, adaptability, and optimism, all constituent elements of perceived luck.
Those who grow up in supportive environments are likely to achieve confidence in their self-efficacy. These latter qualities are basic constituents in the taking of initiative, capitalizing on opportunity, and overcoming setbacks-all essential components in being “lucky.” Children brought up in more unpredictable or stressful environments may have anxiety, insecurity, and a fear of failure-all dampening the abilities to seize opportunities.
Early success or failure also provides a foundation from which a person bases their response to later challenges. Children who first experience success and are positively reinforced for the efforts expended have a much better chance of acquiring a growth mindset of beliefs about their psychological, social, and physical competencies. On the other hand, if a child is always let down and never motivated, then his or her mindset can be fixed as an absolute skeptic regarding his or her capabilities, thus avoiding any risk or opportunity that might come to their way in the future.
Parental support and encouragement is equally important. Children taught to take a chance, make an effort, and take the risk of failing are more likely to develop those traits that are associated with “lucky” breaks. They understand that failures are not the end of the road but stepping stones to success. This may happen because childhood experiences prepare the kind of mindset that through behaviors will bring forth opportunities and thus, seemingly, luck. That is where environment comes into play-the power of serendipity.
Yet whereas genetics and mindset most definitely play their role in how lucky a person may consider themselves, so too are environmental elements an issue that also includes, quite frankly, the degree of chance within the chance. Other people grow up with apparent devilish luck-born into money, right time, and location.
But beyond these external advantages, those who can capitalize on the opportunities that come their way tend to have qualities making them more likely to “make their own luck.” These would be observant of nuance, open to new experiences, or knowing how to network and build relationships. Even in a world where luck has a partly undeserved component, people with it tend to have better life outcomes.
Those people who may not be in a position to notice opportunities or perhaps take the steps to realize them might not be able to experience those “lucky” moments as others do. This again reinforces the idea that luck, while influenced by random circumstance, is also molded by the individual’s response to those circumstances.
Still, it would appear that, with an increasingly growing body of evidence, it can be assumed that because of a complex interplay between genetic influences, mindset, childhood experiences, and environmental factors, a person could well be “born lucky.” Openness to experience, hardiness, and proactivity in seeking opportunities might be conducive to luck, the latter of which seems to be a matter of creation rather than something just happening as a result of pure chance. Maybe luck is not that elusive after all, as we can influence it and make it more accessible with our conduct, attitude, and behavior.