Cheat your way to luck

Some people seem to be born blessed - they meet their perfect partners, achieve their ambitions and live happy and meaningful lives. They don't seem particularly brilliant, beautiful or hard-working. They just enjoy more than their fair share of lucky breaks. Psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman has conducted a ground-breaking scientific study to determine why.

Over eight years, he has interviewed hundreds of people. And he discovered that those who think they are lucky achieve more success and happiness. Without realising it, they are creating good fortune in their own lives. Using Wiseman's scientifically proven techniques, you, too, can understand, control and increase your own good fortune.

LUCKY PEOPLE MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR OPPORTUNITIES

Make smiling a habit when you see someone you know. Stay in touch with friends you meet on holiday or old colleagues and acquaintances. Be open to new experiences and vary your routines even if it's just getting off the bus a stop early. You may see something interesting or new. Or bump into an old friend.

EXERCISES: MAKE a list of at least 20 people you've lost touch with. Each week, take ten minutes to telephone the next person on the list.

Make a list of six new experiences you'd like to try. They could be simple, such as eating at a new restaurant, or long-term or frightening, such as learning a new language or bungee jumping. Number the items from 1 to 6. Now roll the dice, and, whatever experience is selected, go out and do it.

LUCKY PEOPLE TRUST THEIR INTUITION

Make an effort to relax, then, when your mind is clear, look again at what your intuition is telling you. Pause in what you are doing, and carefully consider what your inner voice is saying, and act on it.

EXERCISES: If you're trying to decide between two options, write one of them down in the form of a letter. For instance, if you're unhappy about your relationship, write to your partner explaining it is over. Read it. Do you really want to send it, or is something telling you it doesn't feel right? Seeing the choice in black and white will help you decide.

LUCKY PEOPLE EXPECT TO BE FORTUNATE

Convince yourself that your future will be bright and lucky. Set realistic, but high, expectations.

Try to achieve your goals even if your chances of success seems slim; if you fail, persevere. Be open to the idea of trying a different way of achieving your goals.

Expect your relationships to be lucky and successful. Assume that the people around you will be interesting, happy and fun. You will be surprised at the positive effect it has.

EXERCISES: Make three lists, of short-term goals (to be achieved over the next month), medium-term goals (six months) and longterm goals (a year or more). They should apply to all aspects of your life. Make them as specific as possible. Not 'I want to be happy', but 'I want to enjoy weekends with David more'. Set yourself a realistic deadline. Monitor your progress. Imagine you achieve your major long-term goal. Make a list of all the benefits that would flow from attaining it. Next, make a list of all the costs - the steps you will have to take in your efforts to achieve your goal. Now take a step back and look at the two lists. Compare the costs with the benefits. You will soon realise that it is worth making the effort.

LUCKY PEOPLE USE BAD LUCK TO THEIR ADVANTAGE

Imagine how things could have been worse, and realise that you didn't come off so badly after all. Compare your plight with that of other people who are worse off.

Take a long view - even if things seem bad, expect them to work out well in the end. Concentrate on the lucky breaks you have had, and the great things that are going to happen in the future.

Learn from your past mistakes, and think through new ways of tackling your
difficulties.

EXERCISES: In the long run, a disaster may help you to re-evaluate your life and realise the importance of the things that really matter. Come up with ways in which your bad luck is a necessary stepping stone to good fortune. When you experience bad luck, you may find it helpful to give vent to your feelings for about 30 minutes - cry, scream, hit a punchbag. Then put your misfortune behind you.

Don't assume there is nothing you can do about the situation you find yourself in. Do something now - not next week and not tomorrow, to make it better. Start by making a list of all your options. Try looking at the situation from different points of view. Ask friends for advice. Most important of all, start to solve the problem. This may well involve waiting rather than rushing to take action at all costs. That's fine, if the waiting is part of a plan and not just a delaying tactic. Be prepared to adapt: self-restraint and flexibility are part of being lucky. But the important thing is to concentrate on finding the solution, not focus on the problem.

EXTRACTED from The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman, published by Century at £9.99. Copyright: Richard Wiseman 2003. To order a copy, call: 0870 161 0870.