LUCK IS NOT A STRATEGY

HOW TO STOP WAITING AND START WINNING

Ah March … the season of leprechauns, lucky charms, four-leaf clovers, and the idea that some people are just blessed with good fortune. We toss coins into fountains, cross our fingers, and hope that fortune smiles upon us. We all love a good luck story—the rags-to-riches tale, the overnight success, the person who was in the “right place at the right time.”

But let’s be real. LUCK is not a strategy.

Success doesn’t come from rabbit’s feet or wishing on shooting stars. It’s built by intention, action, and persistence. The problem isn’t that luck doesn’t exist—it’s that too many people use it as an excuse.

They say, “She’s lucky to have that career.”
Or, “They got lucky with that opportunity.”
Or worse, “I’m just not lucky like them.”

No. They worked for it. They showed up when no one was watching. They made choices that built momentum. And so can you.

Let’s look at eight areas where luck is NOT the answer—and what actually is.

Successful people aren’t sitting around waiting for fate to smile on them. It’s a fun idea, but when it comes to building a successful life and business, luck won’t do the work for you.

They’re making choices, taking risks, and showing up even when it’s hard. They aren’t hoping for a break—they’re creating opportunities.

So, if you’ve been waiting for luck to change your life, your business, or your happiness, let this be your wake-up call. Instead of relying on luck, let’s talk about TWELVE critical areas where success is built through intentional action, not chance.

1. Self-Care: Luck Won’t Prioritize You

Waiting to “find the time” to take care of yourself? That’s like waiting for a four-leaf clover to appear on your doorstep. You can’t wait for a lucky streak; it’s a commitment to treating yourself well. You don’t stumble into a healthy body or a peaceful mind. You create them.

Self-care isn’t an accident—it’s a decision. It’s choosing to rest, fuel your body, move, and protect your energy. If you’re running on empty, it’s not bad luck. It’s time to stop treating yourself like an afterthought.

Create your luck: Schedule self-care like it’s a non-negotiable appointment. Because it is.

2. Boundaries: Luck Won’t Guard Your Time

People won’t respect your time just because you hope they will. Strong personal and professional boundaries don’t magically appear. You have to set them, enforce them, and communicate them clearly. 

If you’re constantly exhausted, overcommitted, or resentful, it’s not bad luck—it’s a boundary problem. The only way to protect your time and energy is to be clear about what you will and won’t allow.

Create your Luck: Identify one boundary you need to enforce this week—and do it.

3. Gratitude: Luck Won’t Make You Appreciate What You Have

Gratitude isn’t a feeling you stumble into when the stars align. It’s a practice.

The happiest people aren’t the luckiest. They’re the most grateful. They train themselves to focus on what’s good, even when life isn’t perfect. Gratitude isn’t something you feel because life is amazing—it’s something you choose, and then life starts to feel more amazing.

Create your Luck: Start a daily gratitude practice. Acknowledge three things, or people, you’re grateful for every day.

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4. Joy – LUCK Won’t Drop Happiness in your Lap

Waiting for luck to bring you joy is like waiting for rain in the desert. Happiness isn’t something that just happens—it’s something you cultivate. Find joy in the small moments, surround yourself with positivity, and actively choose to engage in activities that bring you happiness. Joy is a practice, not a random event.

People love to say, “I’ll be happy when…”—when they get the promotion, when they find the right partner, when they finally catch a break.

But joy isn’t something that appears when luck decides you’re worthy. It’s something you let in.

It’s about letting yourself be present —laughing with a friend, feeling the sun on your face, dancing in your kitchen for no reason, finding humor in the ordinary, and making space for things that bring you happiness. You don’t get lucky and wake up joyful. You let joy in.

Create your Luck: Do one small thing today that brings you joy—no excuses.

5. Success is a Strategy – Not a Stroke of Luck

“Overnight success” is a myth.

People love to call successful entrepreneurs “lucky.” But the truth? 

Every thriving business, every powerhouse brand, every influential leader—they didn’t get there by luck. They put in the work. They failed, learned, pivoted, and showed up again.

No successful business was built on luck alone. Every thriving entrepreneur knows that strategy, execution, and consistency are what drive results. If you’re hoping for a lucky break to grow your business, you’re playing a risky game. Instead, focus on planning, and taking intentional action every single day.

If you’re sitting around hoping for a lucky break instead of making moves, you’re gambling with your future.

Create your Luck: Identify one business goal and take an intentional step toward it today.

6. Social Media – LUCK Won’t Build Your Influence

People say, “They got lucky and went viral.” No.

Going viral isn’t a strategy. Success on social media doesn’t come from luck; it comes from showing up consistently, providing value, and engaging with your audience. If you want to grow your brand, take control—post with purpose, share meaningful content, and connect with people authentically – even when no one is seemingly paying attention.

Create your Luck: Post something meaningful today, even if you feel like no one is watching. Keep showing up.

7. Quality Relationships – LUCK Won’t Build Strong Connections

If you’re waiting for the “right” friends, mentors, or business connections to magically appear, you’re missing the point. 

Great relationships—whether personal or professional—aren’t formed by accident. They require effort, follow-up, and genuine care. If you’re waiting for luck to bring the right people into your life, you’re missing opportunities to connect meaningfully. Take the initiative—nurture your relationships, check in, and be intentional about building a strong network.

Create your Luck: Reach out to someone you admire or appreciate today—no agenda, just connection.

8. Learning Every Day – LUCK Won’t Make You Smarter

No one wakes up one day lucky enough to be an expert.

Personal and professional growth doesn’t happen by chance. If you want to get better, you have to be intentional about learning. Read books, listen to podcasts, take courses, ask questions—commit to lifelong learning. No one gets lucky and suddenly knows everything they need to succeed. Knowledge is a choice.

The most successful people aren’t the luckiest. They’re the most committed to learning.

Create your Luck: Pick a book, podcast, or course and commit to learning something new this month. Come be a part of the NBG Book Club Reimagined – Powered by AI! Or commit to being at the S.O.S. Workshops and Ask the Expert sessions.

9. Financial Success: Luck Won’t Build Wealth

A sudden windfall or winning the lottery might make someone rich for a moment, but lasting wealth is built through smart financial decisions, not luck.

You don’t “get lucky” with money—you budget, invest, and make wise financial choices. People who seem “lucky” with money often built their financial foundation with discipline, planning, and patience.

Wealth is a habit, not a jackpot.

Create your Luck: Take one small step toward financial health today—track your spending, set a savings goal, or review your budget.

10. Career Growth: Luck Won’t Land You Your Dream Job

People love to say, “They were in the right place at the right time.” But were they?

Or did they:
✔️ Put in the effort to develop their skills?
✔️ Network and build relationships?
✔️ Take risks and step outside their comfort zone?

Waiting for career success to magically appear is a losing game. 

People don’t just fall into incredible careers. They create them. They build skills, put themselves out there, take on new challenges, and network intentionally. The “lucky” ones? They were prepared when the opportunity came.

Create your Luck: Do something today that moves you forward in your career—update your resume, take a course, or reach out to a mentor.

11. Resilience: Luck Won’t Help You Bounce Back

Life throws curveballs at everyone. That’s not bad luck—it’s just life. The difference between people who stay down and those who rise again isn’t luck. It’s resilience. It’s the ability to adapt, learn from setbacks, and keep going even when things feel unfair.

Resilient people don’t rely on luck to get through tough times. They build mental strength, develop coping strategies, and take action—even when things feel unfair.

Create your Luck: Reframe a recent setback. Instead of seeing it as bad luck, ask: What did this teach me? How can I grow from it?

12. Leadership: Luck Won’t Make You a Great Leader

Strong leaders aren’t “born lucky.” They develop the skills necessary to inspire, guide, and motivate others.

Great leaders aren’t lucky—they are intentional. They listen, communicate clearly, make tough decisions, and inspire others through their actions. Leadership isn’t about position or status. It’s about how you show up. And that’s never left to luck.

Leadership requires:
✔️ Decision-making under pressure
✔️ Emotional intelligence
✔️ Clear and effective communication

You don’t just wake up one day as an inspiring leader. You grow into it through action, learning, and experience.

Create your Luck: Identify one leadership skill you can improve, and take action on it today.

LUCKY YOU – BAKERS DOZEN!  Innovation & Creativity: Luck Won’t Make You More Creative

Many people assume that creativity is something that just happens—that some people are lucky enough to be “born creative.”

In reality, creativity is a skill that’s nurtured through curiosity, exploration, and practice. The most innovative thinkers—whether in art, business, or technology—put in the work to develop new ideas, test new concepts, and challenge the status quo.

✅ Creativity isn’t a gift—it’s a muscle.

Create your Luck: Take a moment to stop what you are doing and allow your creative self to think through a challenge you may be facing – explore alternative opportunities.

LUCKY BONUS! Confidence: Luck Won’t Make You Believe in Yourself

Some people radiate confidence, and it’s easy to assume they were lucky enough to be born that way—but confidence isn’t about luck.

Confidence comes from:
✔️ Taking action despite fear
✔️ Practicing and improving skills
✔️ Showing up even when it’s uncomfortable

If you’re waiting for confidence to magically appear, you’ll be waiting forever. It grows through experience and courage, not good fortune.

Create Your Luck: You are enough! Look at all you have accomplished and all that you are pursuing!

People who seem “lucky” aren’t lucky at all. They prepare, they act, they persist. They don’t wait for the perfect moment—they make the moment perfect.

So stop waiting. Stop hoping. Stop crossing your fingers and start doing.

So this March, ditch the four-leaf clovers and lucky charms. Take ownership of your life, your business, and your future. Because when you put in the effort, luck isn’t required.

Be the reason things change. Show up. Do the work. Own your future. Because when you do that?

You don’t need luck. You’re already winning. 💪🍀🔥 What’s one area in your life where you’ve been relying on luck instead of action? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear!