Making Your Own Luck, the Green (Wave) Way

The transition from winter to spring in New Orleans always makes me think of luck. Whether it’s finding the baby in the King Cake, catching a treasured throw during Mardi Gras, or the emergence of all-green-everything in the Irish Channel, the longer days and warmer temperatures seem to herald a world where anything is possible. This season of luck makes me believe good things can happen, even when the world feels chaotic. It makes me look for glimpses of joy, even when hope is hard to come by.

Some cynics sniff at the concept of luck; they see it as a fated cosmic blessing bestowed on a fortunate few. But I don’t think luck is simply something that happens to you—and science bears this out.

Decades of research suggest that luckiness is less an inherent trait than it is a series of choices.? People who consider themselves “lucky” are more likely to notice, pursue and create opportunities both large and small. They develop and cultivate networks, building connections with other people. They trust their intuition and bet on themselves. They look on the bright side and expect good things—and when things are bad, they take a resilient approach and make the best of their circumstances.?

Two themes emerge out of this collection of choices: an openness to new people, new ideas and new experiences; and a willingness to take control. Both are fundamental for successful leadership—and both can be found in abundance at Tulane.?

Openness isn’t necessarily a synonym for extroversion; it’s more about flexibility, curiosity, patience and being receptive to unfamiliar things. It can be developed through supportive environments, encouraging mentors and peers, and positive reinforcement for taking risks. That’s why we are so deliberate with our relational culture: by offering a wide array of programming, investing in gathering spaces, and emphasizing Socratic engagement, we create opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and our New Orleans neighbors to interact with each other. By encouraging interactions, we encourage connection, communication and openness—and with it, luck.?

Likewise, a willingness to take control correlates with luck. That’s why we encourage entrepreneurship through multidisciplinary fields of study and the Student Venture Incubator. That’s why we offer a wide variety of student leadership positions in residence life, clubs and activities—to give our students a place to develop real-world skills that build a better campus community. That’s why we take pride in our public service organizations that take concrete steps to better our broader community. Taking charge of challenging situations requires courage and conviction—nothing a little luck can’t help along.?

Luck isn’t something you can buy in a French Quarter voodoo shop or find in a riverboat casino. ?It’s an approach and an attitude to finding good things in people, situations, and choices. In light of the unpredictable days ahead, it’s never been more important to make our own luck. With practice and persistence, we can build a lucky outlook…and even better, we can share it with others.? ?