Are Some People Just "Lucky"?

There is no doubt that everyone in their life has met someone who seems to have everything fall into place effortlessly, someone who finds opportunities bounces back from setbacks, and spreads positivity all the time. I used to think that they were just "lucky," but science suggests there is more to it. According to science, luck isn’t random; it is often a product of one’s mindset, behavior, and, surprisingly, genetics. But how does that happen? If some are not just randomly "luckier," what is the logic behind it? Let’s analyze the connection between optimism and perception and how they shape our lives.

Science suggests that optimism is not just about seeing the glass half full; rather, it is the first step in creating one’s opportunities. The phenomenon called “the optimism bias” explains how people with a positive outlook in life tend to overestimate the likelihood of good outcomes and underestimate the likelihood of bad outcomes. Interestingly, research shows that all humans have this bias to some degree. But what is the advantage of having this optimism bias? Is it unrealistic? Wouldn’t it lead to disappointment?

Science’s answer is clear: optimism comes with many benefits. Optimists tend to be more willing to try new things, thus taking risks. Even when setbacks happen, contrary to most of us, they view those as temporary hurdles rather than permanent roadblocks. This resilience allows them to keep moving forward, as a result, attracting more opportunities.

What is the role of genetics in positivity?

As strange as it may sound, researchers suggest that our outlook on life could be partially hardwired. They propose a concept called the “set point” for happiness, which suggests about 50% of our mood is determined by genetics. This, of course, does not mean that optimism is entirely out of our hands, but it surely does imply that some people tend to see the world through more positive lenses with less effort. These people generally interpret random events in their favor, creating a perception of "luck.". It is up to one’s self to attribute good or bad fortune to luck, but maybe we should also consider how those people interpret the things that happen to them. In the end, what affects your mood—in general, your life—is not the events themselves but how you choose to perceive them. 

It is often difficult to make good interpretations out of unexpected events; however, it is possible to develop a more optimistic outlook with time and practice. By reframing negative experiences as learning opportunities, you can train your brain to adopt a more positive outlook.

In the end, maybe luck isn’t entirely random. Maybe it is often a combination of mindset, behavior, and interpretation. It is impossible to control everything, but we can learn to be happier with the hand we’re dealt.