How to attract luck

“You can attract luck simply by telling people what you are working on.”
–James Clear

This is something I struggle with. I struggle telling people what I want to accomplish, asking for favors, and talking about unfinished projects. I’d rather do the work, let it speak for itself, and have people come to me after. Meanwhile, I see people do all of the things I struggle with, and get a head start on their projects. 

I think this runs deep. I don’t want to be the kind of person who goes back on their word. I don’t want to just talk about ideas; I want to execute on them. I’ve been that way in the past, and I don’t enjoy it. But James Clear’s words are wise: people won’t know how to help or get involved if you don’t tell them what you’re working on. 

If someone else approached me with this problem, I’d probably tell them to write out a script that describes what they’re working on. That way, when someone asks “what have you been working on lately,” they have a response that is clean, tight, and opens things up for opportunity. I usually shy away from these questions, because I don’t want to speak too soon, or come off as arrogant. 

Another piece of advice I give people when they’re resistant to saying something for fear of coming across as arrogant, is that tone and demeanor are the biggest factors in coming across poorly. Even if the message is direct, if you present it with a pleasant tone (and maybe a little self-deprecation) people won’t see you as arrogant. 

It’s time to take my own advice.