How To Improve Your Luck - Lesson 7

A hunch is a conclusion that is based on information that has been observed, catalogued, and stored in your mind in the past on some level of awareness just below the conscious level. That's why a hunch feels like something you know, but you don't know how you know it. This is much the same thing that we call intuition. It's the same kind of processing of data just below the threshold of consciousness.

Every day we're faced with decisions big and small. Sometimes in making those decisions, in addition to all of the thought and research we put into them, we wind up going with our best hunch. Lucky people are those whose hunches are trustworthy. Here are some things that you can do to make your hunches reliable:

• Assess the data base. If you get a strong hunch out of nowhere, how do you assess it? Ask yourself if it's possible to know more about the subject than you think. Were you in a position to hear information? Did you read something about this? Was it from a reliable source? Is it reasonable to think that you might be right? If so, then go with it
• Never trust a hunch about somebody you have just met. Unlucky people tend to make decisions based on first impressions but lucky people go back for a second look. This applies to emotions and love at first sight as well. Going back for a second or third look gives you more to build on.
• Never fall back on a hunch because you don't have the information or you haven't done the work. Try to reach your decision first on the data you've dug up and seek out people who have information on the subject. Then go to your hunch.
• Learn to recognize the difference between a true hunch and a daydream. A true hunch has a basis in factual information; a daydream is the result of wishful thinking. If you get a hunch and you want it badly, regard it with suspicion. Examine your hunch, test the feeling, look at its strength and composition and argue with it. Ask yourself if it's really a possibility and learn to discern between a hunch and a hope. Most compulsive gamblers call their baseless hopes "hunches."
• Learn to "grow" hunches. A hunch comes through first as a feeling and then as knowledge. Listen to your feelings, respect them and allow them an important place in your life. Lucky person who have good hunches are in touch with their feelings.
• Notice the soft facts as well as the hard facts. Pay attention to your impressions, "vibes," or feelings in the air. Collect these impressions along with the facts. The ability to notice these improves with practice - and this allows you to become better at making more trustworthy hunches.

Next Week: How To Improve Your Luck - Lesson 8