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  The Presentation Pros

Is it Luck or is it Belief and Preparation?

4/8/2013

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Luck or Preparation?
Many people believe luck has a huge impact on whether you are successful or not. I agree with Oprah's definition of luck, which is “preparation meeting the moment of opportunity”. The reason I agree with this definition is that if you are not prepared when the opportunity presents itself, it will not be your best day. I also believe that how you feel about yourself, and life, plays a huge part in the opportunities you allow yourself to see and thus your luck.

Opportunities are all around us. They are there for all of us to see and grab a hold of. But if you do not have a strong belief in yourself and your capabilities, you will be blind to most of the opportunities that are out there and the ones you do see you will spend most of your time talking yourself out of.

Preparation in all areas is so important. I hear people make excuses all the time as to why they are not prepared or why there is no need to prepare for something until the opportunity presents itself. They are not going to sign up for a course or coaching until the opportunity for that knowledge or skill set arises. Guess what, more often than not, the reason the opportunity arises, or you see it in front of you is because you are prepared for it. 

I recently read a story about Eddie Murphy that exemplifies what I mean. When Eddie Murphy was just starting out in comedy the other comics could tell he stood out. Sure he was funny and quick but so were they. He wrote great material but so did they. When they would all get together and talk about what they wanted to do with their lives the other comics would have answers like “I want to break into the comedy business in a big way" etc., not Eddie Murphy. His response was “I'm going to be to comedy what the Beatles were to music.” He didn't say “I would like to be” or “My dream is to be...” he said “I am going to be”. In the article it said that the comics never took it that he was bragging. “...It was a simple statement that came from his heart; he said it with such conviction and utter certainty that we had no choice but to believe him.” You see, Eddie Murphy had such great confidence in himself and his abilities that he had no doubt.

You could take a look at Eddie Murphy and say he was at the right place at the right time or he became so famous because he was so talented. But what about all the talented souls who never make it big? Eddie made his own luck. He honed his craft readying himself for that special moment and because of his belief in himself and his abilities, he knew when that moment presented itself and he jumped up to the plate and let the world see his extraordinary talent.

The world is full of talented people in all walks of life who never achieve the successes they desire or deserve. It's not that they don't have the talent to succeed but they never seem to get that “lucky break.” But then again, how many of those talented people even see the opportunities that come their way or are prepared to take them when they do come by? Our thoughts create our realities and if we have thoughts of self-doubt or unworthiness we are not about to draw the kinds of opportunities to us that will allow us to shine.

If you are consistently focusing your attention on the things you desire; believing empowering thoughts about your ability to achieve those lofty goals; taking passionate, enthusiastic action in preparing yourself for when, not if, those opportunities arise, you will achieve success in the areas you are striving for. You will see the opportunities arise or you will create them. But either way, your belief in yourself and your abilities and your preparedness will create your so called luck.

Do you think this is an impossible task? Then it is. You have to believe you are a star before the world will see you shine. What we focus on expands. If you spend your time focusing on worry and doubt you will get something to doubt and worry about. But if you spend your time focusing on and believing in your abilities and what you need to do to make sure you are prepared for that big break, it is only a matter of time before you will see your dreams manifest.

You can and will attract your lucky breaks when you believe in yourself, let your passion shine through, be fully prepared to seize the moment when opportunity knocks on your door and finally take the appropriate action toward your dreams. The combination of desire, belief, preparedness and opportunity makes for some great luck!

Debbie Darling - © 2013 – The Presentation Pros™

Deborah Darling is the owner and president of The Presentation Pros, a soft skills training company empowering people with the skill sets to deliver their message with power and persuasion. She is a professional development coach, international best-selling author, speaker and trainer. To book a training or keynote go to HERE.

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    Deborah Darling

    Deborah Darling is a professional development coach, trainer and an internationally acclaimed best selling author and speaker. She is an expert in the fields of personal image, self-esteem, personal growth and development. She is the author of five books, including Upsize Woman in a Downsize World™, the international best seller Dress to Look Your Best: Fashion Secrets the Experts Don't Share and her new book PRESENT: 7 Keys to a Powerful, Persuasive Presentation. She conducts powerful, provocative workshops on all aspects of communication and personal growth and transformation. She has trained for many Fortune 500 companies in all aspects of communication and empowers her clients with the skill sets to deliver their messages with power and persuasion.
    From 1997-2002 she was the national spokesperson for the largest retailer of women's plus size fashions in the world. In addition, she's been an on-camera and voice over personality for some of America's best known companies, and has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including Hard Copy, The Richard Simmons Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Debbie is a facilitator for both Jack Canfield's self-esteem seminars and Dr. Teri Mahaney's Change Your Mind program.

    The workshops she conducts give her the opportunity to use her skills in helping her clients identify their greatest strengths and provide them with tools to achieve their full potential. She loves to help people find their voice and gain an open, confident credible presence. Debbie's ability to recognize and build on others' fundamental strengths provides immediate results for her clients. She looks forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

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