St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner making it the perfect time to find some of that Irish luck.

What does “luck of the Irish” mean to you?

There are many theories surrounding the origins and meaning of this term. Some think it is an ironic term to describe the bad luck the Irish faced with famine, emigration, and so on, while others think it was derived due to the great success of Irish miners finding their “pot of gold” during the gold and silver rush. Still, others believe the Irish were just born lucky.

So what creates “luck”?

Is it hard work and determination? A mindset? An object? Or are you simply born with it?

Richard Wiseman, a professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and the author of many books, conducted a study with over 1,000 people to find the “Luck Factor”. He makes some interesting observations and from his findings and other research, we think it boils down to these key factors; having an amazing sense of humour, optimism, grabbing hold of opportunity, and listening to your intuition.

Sense of humour and optimism. These two go hand-in-hand, with a good sense of humour and the ability to turn lemons into lemonade, you can see the bright side of a situation. For example, if you bought a new pair of shoes and stepped in something unsavory, would you consider it bad luck? Or would you take a more positive approach, like Mary?

Mary-“I was just wearing my new shoes today when I stepped in a HUGE pile of manure.”

Michael-“Well then, tis a LUCKY thing you were wearing shoes!”

Mary-“Yea, Luck of the Irish”

Beyond humorous anecdotes, your chances of trying new things, following through on opportunities and having them succeed is much more likely with a positive attitude – believing things will not only work out, but work out well. In a sense, you are creating your own good luck through self-motivation and experience.

Seizing opportunity. According to Wiseman, “unlucky” people suffer from paralysis by analysis. They won’t do anything until they have walked through every single angle and by then the world has moved on. They don’t gain the benefits of learning through doing. In order to open yourself up to good fortune, you need to take chances and embrace new opportunities before they pass you by.

Intuition as a guide. Hunches are often the result of the body and brain detecting a pattern that we haven’t consciously picked up on yet. So if you start to get a gut feeling about something, stop and listen to it. Take a moment to ask more questions, do some research, or think about the situation. Just don’t take so long that you miss the opportunity altogether.

Positivity plays a big role in how we see the world and how the world responds to us. And for those times that you are down on your luck, remember to find the lesson, shake it off, and keep moving forward.

From all of us at Amintro, we wish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Amintro is the unique social community that matches you with possible friends. Designed exclusively for those 50 plus we are about fostering good old fashioned, platonic relationships.

Join for free here or learn more about us, our community and how to become an Amintronian by following us on Twitter: @AmintroFriends, or liking us on Facebook: AmintroFriends.

By Christine Tompa