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The Luck Factor by Richard Wiseman Summary

The Luck Factor
Richard Wiseman
3.84 (2039 Reviews)
Psychology
Self-growth
Productivity
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
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Overview of The Luck Factor

Discover why luck isn't random but a learnable skill in Richard Wiseman's groundbreaking study of 400 volunteers. The Luck Factor reveals four science-backed principles that transform opportunity recognition, intuition, and positive thinking into real-world success. What separates the consistently lucky from everyone else?

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Key takeaways

1

The Science of Creating Your Own Good Fortune

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Have you ever wondered why some people seem to lead charmed lives? They find perfect parking spots, meet their ideal partners through unlikely coincidences, and land dream jobs without trying. For years, we've dismissed these occurrences as random chance or mystical forces. But what if luck isn't random at all? What if it's actually a skill you can develop? Based on eight years of scientific research involving hundreds of exceptionally lucky and unlucky individuals, "The Luck Factor" reveals that fortune isn't distributed randomly. About 50% of people report consistently good luck across multiple life domains, while 14% experience persistent bad luck. This consistency suggests luck isn't mere chance but is influenced by specific psychological patterns. The research shows that lucky people think and behave in ways that create positive opportunities, strengthen intuition, cultivate optimistic expectations, and transform misfortune into good fortune. Most importantly, these patterns can be learned by anyone willing to shift their perspective.

2

The Opportunity Magnet: Creating and Noticing Lucky Breaks

3

The Inner Compass: Trusting Your Intuition

4

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Expecting Good Fortune

5

The Resilience Factor: Transforming Misfortune into Opportunity

6

The Luck School: Scientific Evidence of Transformation

7

Creating Your Own Luck: Practical Steps Forward

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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

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@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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96
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4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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