The luck factor
by Richard Wiseman · first published 2003
56% recommend44% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Argues that luck can be influenced through research-based habits like staying open to opportunities, being optimistic, and noticing chances. Offers practical advice for readers who think success is only hard work.
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…of my achievements were due to sheer hard work. And then I read this article about luck: http://nautil.us/blog/-the-key-to-good-luck-is-an-open-mind And I got the book mentioned in the article - The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman. One of the exercises in the book is to think over how things have unfolded in your life - what would have happened if you took left inside of right when you met your partner or got…
on “How to get rich without getting lucky” ↗Ah, Jonathan Haidt haven't heard of him in a long while. I second this. If you like stuff like this, then you also might like: - Search Inside Yourself by Chade Meng-Tan - The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman I read the Happiness Hypothesis quite late in my development regarding "how to be come happier?" I already knew a lot of the ideas in there, but it presented its ideas a bit more clearly…
on “Psychological techniques to practice Stoicism” ↗To me the advise given by Richard Wiseman in his book titled “The Luck Factor” from 2003 feels like the most generalized. TLDR is lucky people: (0) are social and intentionally seek out new connections; (1) maximize chance opportunities, they’re not fixated on a grand plan; (2)…
on “How to Create Luck” ↗I don't think luck is as "random" of a factor as much as most people think it is. Checkout "Luck Factor" by Dr. Richard Wiseman. I do think there are a lot of things you can due to get probability more on your side: - Keep your eyes open for opportunities and look for the upside ("be optimistic" is the…
on “Career advice for people with bad luck” ↗…isn't just to shrug and say "oh well, I guess I wasn't lucky." There are in fact scientifically proven ways to increase one's chance for getting lucky. I highly recommend Richard Wiseman's book "The Luck Factor" which goes into this research: http://www.richardwiseman.com/books/luckfactor.html
on “Michael Lewis: Don't Eat Fortune's Cookie” ↗…significantly increases odds of never reaching product-market fit. __ While there likely endless list of advice on reaching product-market fit, to me, advise given by Richard Wiseman in his book titled “The Luck Factor” feels like the most generalized. TLDR is lucky people: (0) are social and intentionally seek out new connections; (1) maximize chance opportunities, they’re not fixated on a grand plan; (2) nurture and…
on “Startup Childhood” ↗…Alexander threatened their existence. Up until Alexander showed up in India - no one even dreamt of uniting India... 4. I think what is missing is luck - which can also be hacked somewhat. Book: The Luck Factor: The 4 Essential Principles: http://www.amazon.com/Luck-Factor-Four-Essential-Principles/...
on “The Anatomy of Determination” ↗…lottery), but they opened themselves to situations which allowed a win to happen, and so had more chances to win than someone who closed off their options. In case you're interested, the book is "The Luck Factor", by Richard Wiseman.
on “The Role of Luck in Life Is Still Misunderstood” ↗In "The Luck Factor" Richard Wiseman talks about the personality characteristics that are associated with luck. Agreeableness and conscientiousness are not (contra this saying, which gets attributed to all and sundry) but…
on “Michael Lewis: Don't Eat Fortune's Cookie” ↗Richard Wiseman of 59 Seconds face actually has a book called "The Luck Factor". One case study is a woman who wins lots of newspaper contests - the point being that she wins lots because she puts in for lots. Another point is perspective. You fall and break your arm. You can…
on “How Steve Jobs Became a Billionaire” ↗