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Vail Daily column: You want it, you deserve it

Have you ever found yourself feeling like it’s your turn for a break or a win? But then in our very next breath we talk ourselves out of it because lucky breaks and wins are for other people, not us, right? Maybe we even hear our own voice whispering in our ear that we just don’t deserve it.

And whether we think we deserve something or believe that we don’t deserve it, in either case we are right.

You see, it’s not just about what we think or believe that brings us good fortune, it’s our actions that actually generate the positive outcomes we dream about and pursue. Thinking and believing with a positive attitude helps for sure, but at the end of the day, it is truly our behaviors that make the difference. Kind of like that old saying, “It’s funny, the harder I work … the luckier I get.”



So, conversely, when things don’t quite go our way, we should be able to look back at all the events surrounding our disappointment and focus in on what we could have done differently, particularly around our actions and behaviors.

For some people they find it easier to point to other ‘lucky’ or ‘successful’ individuals and rationalize why that person deserves a break or a win, but they just can’t or won’t allow themselves to see it in their own lives.

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Is there such a thing as pure luck? Absolutely, just ask anyone who bought a “Quick Pick” lottery ticket and won. I mean, they didn’t even choose their own numbers, they simply let the computer generate their entry and celebrated watching as their numbers came in. Pure luck.



But even in the case of the lucky lottery winner, the action taken was the deciding factor. The person had to choose to stop at the store and purchase the ticket. So did they deserve to win? I don’t know the answer to that, but what I do know is that if we want the opportunity to win at anything in life or get that lucky break, then we have to be “in it to win it.”

Being “in it” means that we are giving ourselves the best possible chance for success through our proactive initiative and effort with good and worthy activities that push us toward the achievement of our goals and dreams. We do the very things necessary that allow us to look ourselves in the mirror and say, “I deserve it.”

For some people, they find it easier to point to other “lucky” or “successful” individuals and rationalize why that person deserves a break or a win, but they just can’t or won’t allow themselves to see it in their own lives. Well, if you are someone who falls into this category, then the good news is that you can “behave” your way out of that negative feeling and into a positive “I deserve it” attitude. Just think about what it is that you want or feel you deserve and do the most productive thing possible right now even if it is the smallest step.

Love, a career, an education, success, happiness, a vacation or anything your heart desires are all within reach. You want it, you deserve it, so go for it.

So how about you, are you waiting for the machine to pick your lucky numbers and control your destiny or are you someone that will take action today and be the one in control of your own future? I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we all realize we deserve an opportunity to win, it will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is a strategic consultant, business and personal coach and motivational speaker, and CEO of http://www.candogo.com. He writes a weekly motivational column for the Vail Daily.


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