Are you a usual or unusual suspect?
What is it about some people -- the ones who create their own luck -- that makes them successful? Are they born under a lucky star? Do they get all the breaks? No! They are people who perceive a possibility, see the opportunity, and parlay it into something positive, which has a measure of success. They don't just see opportunity, they seize it. They are observers who pay attention -- to issues, to problems, to perplexing situations, and to people. Regardless of whether their moment of serendipity turns into a job or business or two tickets to the Olympics or the opera, they are open to it!
The stories of the people profiled in How to Create Your Own Luck (John Wiley & Sons, 2004) reveal that they fall into two categories:
The usual suspects: When studying the stories that changed people's careers, jobs, or businesses, there is a track of traits called The Usual Suspects. Discussed in most business books, these are the qualities and characteristics generally ascribed to those who are successful. These people don't just work smart, they work hard rather than hardly work! They cultivate good attitude. Some days their outlook is realistic, other days it's simply positive, but whichever it is, their attitude is a healthy one that embraces possibility. In addition, they have a vision that is bolstered by great follow-through.
The unusual suspects: What most business books and courses don't identify are the unique traits exhibited by people who have seized serendipity, co-opted the coincidence, and captured the karma. These Unusual Suspect traits set such people apart from the crowd, incorporating counterintuitive behaviors, actions, and attitudes that go against the prescribed norm. Interestingly enough, these traits are also the outgrowth of solid, savvy networking skills.
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