Why do some people seem naturally lucky, finding a soulmate, perfect career, or other golden opportunities from chance encounters, while some seem to carry their own personal storm could like the character from “Peanuts”? Does luck exist, and how the heck can I get some? That is the basic inquiry of The Luck Factor by Dr. Richard Wiseman.

Dr. Wiseman uses the tools of social psychology, surveys and experimentation, for the first time to look at people who consistently seem to be lucky or unlucky in their lives. In doing so he has found a particular mindset associated with luck, defined four general principles lucky people use, developed a program to teach the unlucky to use these, and (whew!) in the last part of the book offers the reader suggestions for implementing them into his/her own life. (Please note, he is not talking about honing psychic ability to win lotteries, etc., but a mindset that recognizes and seizes chances that we all happen by on occasion.)

He finds lucky people tend to maximize their opportunities by being open and relaxed towards life, listening to their intuition or gut instinct, expect good fortune to happen (so that they persevere and have expectations that bring out the good side of others) and transform unlucky happening s into something positive.

The Luck Factor pleased me as a read in several ways. First it approached this esoteric-sounding subject in a no-nonsense, no-leap-of-faith-required, way. From the angle of a self-help book it is nicely uncluttered yet clear in its suggestions. As a book on social psychology it presents the rigors of methodology and ingenuity required to advance this discipline, simply and clearly, giving the layperson a good introduction to the subject. From a human level there are interesting anecdotes and his explanations of how a general attitude can affect life are sensible and easily grasped. The book is interesting reading regardless of whether you intend to personally implement his ideas.

Check out The Luck Factor by Dr. Richard Wiseman. Happy reading, and good luck!

Reviewed by Linda Maxwell

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