Increasing Your Odds

One of my favourite clients was a guy named Phil. He was one of those guys who led a simple, uncomplicated life, loved everybody, and everybody loved him. He sold accounting products in the auto industry, and everybody bought from Phil just because he was sweet and honest and always did what he said he would.

One Saturday morning Phil was on his way to pick up coffee when he was T-boned at an intersection. He left a wife and a young child, and there wasn’t a dry eye at his funeral. His untimely death was an affront to the universe, but nevertheless, it happened.

Sometimes life just does stuff like that, and there’s nothing you can do about it. On the other hand, but less frequently, you might find out that Great Aunt Matilda died and you are the only living heir to her mining fortune. Occasionally, really good stuff just happens, too.

But mostly you have much more control over your destiny than you think. Whether good things happen regularly, there’s usually a reason for it, likewise for bad things. We make our own luck. These are some of the things that can help:

1. Be in the place that is right for you (and conversely, stop being in the place you weren’t meant to be). This is at the heart of the Alignment Principle.

2. Listen. Listen to your clients, listen to your colleagues, listen to the wise people in your trade. Listen to those who care for you. And listen to yourself.

3. Be careful. The “measure twice, cut once” rule applies in all the callings, not just carpentry.

4. Be generous. Nothing is better for business than giving clients more than they had expected, and it will also reduce client complaints to almost zero. This is easier if you are in the place you were meant to be, because you will have greater margins and less anxiety. And don’t be chintzy with your tips, also buy one more box of Girl Guide cookies than you want.

5. Be proactive about bad stuff. When an error is detected, or even anticipated, deal with it promptly, adequately, and proportionately. And take the time to ensure it can’t happen again.

6. Be loyal. If you have the backs of your colleagues, support staff, friends and family, they will have yours in the rough spots.

7. Plan. This really means thinking things through before you start.

8. Look after yourself. If you are depleted physically, mentally, or morally, you’re just setting yourself up for trouble.

If you follow these simple rules, you’ll have far more “good luck” than bad.