That I’m lucky in life goes without saying. I live in the best country in the world, I have a loving family, a wonderful husband, a roof over my head and food in my fridge. Yep, I won the life lottery, and for that, I’m grateful every single day.

When it comes to “luck” in my career, though, I feel a bit differently. I’ve had many successes and failures, like anyone, but to be honest, I’m not sure what luck has had to do with any of it. Sure, I’m lucky to have had many supportive people in my working life. I wouldn’t be running my own business if it wasn’t for my amazing business partner and the many mentors I’ve had along the way. But to say that it was luck that got me there is not entirely correct.

How to Make Your Own Luck

The first thing you should do if you want to be lucky in your career or even in love is to throw away any preconceived notions you have about what it takes to get what you want in life.

Because it takes…you guessed it…guts. Every opportunity – and I mean EVERY SINGLE ONE – that I’ve had in my career has happened because I positioned myself in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude. If I wanted something, I asked for it. No, I didn’t just ask the universe. I asked the actual people that could help me get what I want. Was the answer always yes? Of course not. But if I’d never asked in the first place, I wouldn’t be doing half the things I am today.

Success in career and life is all about positioning. It’s about seeing an opportunity and jumping in with both feet if it feels right to do so. It’s about not resting on your laurels and expecting that the world will hand itself to you on a silver platter. It’s about being willing to take on tasks and roles that may not be exactly what you want, as a stepping stone to what you do want.

Is it scary? Sure as hell. Being lucky in life is not for the faint of heart. It’s putting yourself out there, time and again, asking for what you want, and then accepting it in whatever shape or format it comes.

Luck is for lottery winners. For the rest of us, it’s hard work.