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March 17th: an entire day dedicated to donning kelly green and giving in to frivolity, two things we can't always get away with. No wonder it's now known as the fourth most popular drinking day in the U.S.A.
The crew here at Trusted Referral Network is ready to get in on the party too. From lucky lifestyle tips to hangover help, we've got you covered. Corned beef and cabbage, anyone?
Livin' La Vida Lucky: How to Make Your Own Luck
Ever feel like some people are just luckier than others? While luck is supposedly based on chance, sometimes it may seem like something else at work separates the lucky types from the not-so-lucky.
According to Richard Wiseman, a psychology professor at the University of Hertfordshire and the author of The Luck Factor, there is more to the story and a few secrets to improve your fortune. On a side note, Professor Richard Wiseman has an intriguing research history and personal backstory (hint: he got his professional start as a magician).
The Four Traits of "The Lucky Ones"
Anyway, after ten years of study and hundreds of research interviews surrounding the concept of luck, Wiseman found a pattern: people deemed "lucky” shared four common characteristics. And the good news? You won't" need a chance encounter with a pot of gold to change your luck; just a few mindset shifts:
1. They can find, go after, and even create opportunities
"Lucky" people try new things, meet new people, learn by doing, and build on these skills through practice, not perfectionism. There is lightness and flexibility in how they set goals and identify the paths to achieving them. "Lucky ones" see opportunity even in randomness.
2. They trust their intuition
Lucky people believe in themselves and listen to their gut instincts. If you had an immediate "uh oh" reaction to reading that, Wiseman assures us there are ways we can improve our relationship with our intuition. You can deepen this trust through small steps like mindfulness practice and other self-awareness techniques.
3. They're optimistic and expect positive outcomes
This is one of those simple-yet-difficult principles. As Wiseman puts it, "Expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies by helping lucky people persist in the face of failure and shape their interactions with others in a positive way." Lucky people don't necessarily get to avoid failure; they simply have a different perspective on it. Failure is neither personal nor final.
4. They're resilient and make lemonade out of lemons
In one of Wiseman's research interviews, he spoke to a man who took a fall down a set of stairs and broke his leg. But because he later went on to meet and fall in love with a nurse at the hospital, the interviewee didn't see the broken leg in isolation as a negative experience. Lucky people carry on and transform the nature of their circumstances.
Perspective > Pot of Gold
Something else to remember is that even when we're in the presence of someone who seems lucky or appears to have a lot going for them, we don't usually see the whole story. Jeff Bezos once said, "All overnight success takes about ten years." Through patience and perspective, you, too, may find yourself a little luckier on the other side of the rainbow.
Now… let's party.
Dye Me a River: The Principles of Partying
You don't have to give up on all fun to live a healthy lifestyle. Here are TRN's top tips for a fun (and mindful) St. Paddy's Day celebration.
Go for the Green
Sure, you could go all out like the city of Chicago and dye an entire river green, but we're talking more about your daily nutrition choices. Luckily, even though St. Patrick's is a day for partying—and likely some junk food—a traditional corned beef and cabbage dish offers excellent superfood benefits like protein, vitamins, fiber, and potassium.
"Cabbage is good for you. It's one of those foods that tastes better than it looks, and it has even more nutritional value than people expect," says dietician Julia Zumpano. "Plus, it's versatile, affordable, and easy to find."
Don't Forget About March 18th
As much as we all might like to party like there's no tomorrow, you should still plan on tomorrow coming. Remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated while drinking or partying to help stave off the severity of a hangover.
Still got a hangover? Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, get some carbs and maybe a little caffeine into your system, and snag a non-Tylenol pain reliever because Harvard said so.
Check out these interesting hangover cures from all over the world (and while you're at it, sign us up for the "midnight spaghetti").
You Matter. Stay Safe
Let's wrap this up with some mom talk: one of the best ways to keep your luck intact when March 18th rolls around is to drink responsibly. It's been said before, but an Uber or Lyft (even at surge pricing) is cheaper than a DUI… or worse.
Have fun, stay safe, use a designated driver, and of course, stay hydrated.
Happy St. Patrick's Day from Team TRN!
Want to be a guest blogger with the #TRN Team? We are looking for writers to contribute. Reach out to jo@trustedreferral.org to get started.
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