Success Advice
Luck Has Jack To Do With Success

I heard someone I know the other day say “cross your fingers for me.”
Those who know me know that I wouldn’t do that if it were the last thing I could do on Earth. Luck is a figment of the imagination. You don’t get lucky; you create your own luck.
What makes you lucky is four simple practices:
A) You practice being happy
B) You put in the work
C) You play the long game
D) You serve others
That’s kind of it. I know you were expecting some big 5000-word explanation but that’s not how I roll.
The best advice is simple, to the point, inspiring and honest.
These four things have made me lucky over the last few years. People think I must have married a girl with the last name “lucky.” The truth is I’m single for now, so that’s also a myth.
When I reminisced on all that I’ve achieved, I realized that I wasn’t lucky. What I really was, was action orientated. I found the tools and then I made bold decisions. Decisions such as:
A) No more drama
B) Think the best of every situation
C) When time’s get tough, find someone who’s in a worse position
D) Focus on moving forward. Look through the windscreen, not the rear vision mirror.
You’ve seen these four decisions many times I’m sure. Have you religiously practiced them every hour, of every day? I doubt it. That’s the difference between those who seem lucky and those that seem to be unlucky. You have to decide to be lucky. You have to make the decisions that form so-called “luck.”
The myth
I feel like the concept of investing is an excellent way to think about luck.
Investing is the result of doing the same thing over and over, playing the long game and diversifying your risk. Basically, investing is about being consciously smart. So is luck.
You become successful by:
Playing the long game
Luck is stupid because people think it happens in the blink of a moment. Success happens over the long haul. I think it’s at least five years, but insert what ever number you like. My point is that success happens beyond 30 days.
If you don’t think you have created your own luck, then it’s because you haven’t waited long enough. You have to be able to go the distance
Crossing your fingers and hoping for a miracle is like expecting someone to touch your forehead and make you a millionaire. I saw this in a church once by the way, so I’m not making this stuff up.
Doing it over and over
We’ve read a million blog posts about habits and I know for a fact that people love hearing about habits. Too bad people don’t practice them the way they worship the advice. Investing works when you put money into an asset that generates a return over and over.
Success is sort of the same. You must put in energy, effort and belief into your goals every day before you can become what others call “lucky.” It’s boring as hell but it works. It’s the monotonous tasks that create success in the long term.
Diversifying your risk
Luck happens when you spread your risk. I like to have three things or less that I focus on so that if one stuffs up, then the other one can take the lead. You wouldn’t put all of your money into Bitcoin now, would you? You might put a small percentage in though to diversify your risk.
What’s holding you back from appearing lucky?
This is a pretty straightforward question to answer and you’re not going to like it. What’s holding you back is you. More specifically, the “YOU” I’m referring to is your mind which controls every decision you make.
“The way you change your mind is to ask better questions”
Questions are what makes you lucky. With a new question, you can create an entirely different life experience. A question that has made me appear lucky is:
How can I inspire people daily with my dream?
This recurring thought has made me lucky because now I want to serve others using whatever I can to inspire them. I spend a lot of time looking in every hidden crack for a dose of inspiration that could change someone’s day.
This single question has made me lucky. What will make you lucky is:
A) You practice being happy
B) You put in the work
C) You play the long game
D) You serve others
I did these four practices unconsciously at first; now I do them consciously due to the awareness that comes from success. As you develop yourself and learn about who you are, you see what works and what doesn’t work. What’s funny is that what works is pretty similar for all of us.
That’s why we need to compare notes with each other to see that being lucky has nothing to do with success. We create our own luck through the above four practices. We determine if we are lucky. Therefore, luck is something we create and you can create it too. We all can create luck.
“My point is that luck doesn’t fall on your lap with a set of keys to a Lamborghini”
If you find yourself saying “fingers crossed,” or “hoping,” or “with a bit of luck,” then you’re leaving your life up to chance.
By doing that, chances are you will not do anything meaningful or fulfilling. I want more than that for you. Think about that for a moment then go out there and create your own luck.
If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
-
Research your topic at night.
-
Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
-
Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
-
A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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