GOOD LUCK!!

I usually write articles on topics that will give advice when it comes to health, fitness, and racing.  I think this month I am going to mix it up a little bit and give you something a little more light-hearted.  For those of you that have been following my writings and blogs, you already know that I have been playing sports for most of my life.  Along the way I have picked up quite a few quirks.  Now, I am not superstitious or believe in LUCK but throughout my years I have come up with things such as my Lucky USC Hat, a Lucky Chicago Bears Shirt, a Lucky 1880 Silver Dollar that was given to me to represent 100 years before I was born, a Lucky color orange, a Lucky number #17.  I have even been known to throw items away that I believed were unlucky like my running gear I was wearing the day I rolled my ankle last year, and a random one not showering during finals week in college (I am not so sure that one actually worked).  OK so maybe I am a bit superstitious and believe in LUCK but I know I am not the only one.   

So what is Superstition?  The definition of superstition is “ the belief that certain events or things will bring good or bad luck”.  By the definition, superstition and luck go hand in hand.  So this phenomenom pertains to not only athletics and sports, but can also be relevant in our everyday lives.  Luck is all around us, I would bet everyone at one point in their life has turned to an object, a routine, or article of clothing to help them through a rough patch or maybe even to continue on a streak of wonderful fortune and prosperous times.    

Can luck give us some sort of advantage when competing?  I think luck gives us a sense of superpower or hidden energy.  Our opponents don’t know it but we keep that bit of luck in our back pocket and use it when we need it the most.  Perhaps in the late stages of a race, or when you step up to the plate in baseball, or even to overcome weaknesses.  We use this as our Kryptonite, our secret weapon, our strength.  For me, I use it to build my confidence and put myself in the right state of my mind while I am racing or while I am preparing to compete.  It gives me a sense of comfort and consistency.  Regardless of which race I show up at, or the conditions on race day, or even if circumstances that are out of my control, I trust and have the confidence that my LUCKY items will be there for me to help make everything right. 

Can luck really have a positive impact on our performance during events?  I believe that if you believe it does it will.  We often are looking for something to give us an advantage physically to make us stronger, faster, and smarter.  The concept of luck might not make us physically stronger, faster, or smarter but it can give us a mental advantage which could translate into a better performance through confidence.  The direct correlation between luck and confidence is the formula that will give you the edge to compete smarter, or push more, or go faster.  Sometimes, keeping a positive outlook is all we need when entering the late stages of a race and I strongly believe that Good Luck Charms provide just that.  Luck can be a powerful hand if you play it properly and truly believe in it.

So in conclusion - YES!!  If you think GOOD LUCK is a true phenomenon that could be the last piece of the puzzle to propel you past your competitors then go out there, find some LUCK, and use it to your advantage.  GOOD LUCK in all your endeavors and I wish you the best!!