Richard Branson, an adrenaline junkie who attributes his success to luck, discusses how belief in luck makes us bolder and better. He shares his experiences surviving near-death situations and emphasizes the balance of luck belief and hard work for creating opportunities.
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Quick takeaways
Belief in luck boosts self-efficacy and motivation in task performance.
Balancing internal and external locus of control is crucial for psychological well-being and success.
Deep dives
Impact of Belief in Luck on Self-Efficacy
Belief in luck can significantly influence self-efficacy levels. A study by James Sly demonstrated that individuals with a strong belief in luck showed enhanced confidence in their abilities. The study involved participants predicting coin toss outcomes and engaging in a mentally challenging puzzle task. Those who believed in luck and received descending feedback performed better on tasks, set higher goals, and dedicated more time to them. This suggests that a belief in luck can boost self-efficacy and motivation, influencing task performance positively.
Balancing Internal and External Locus of Control
The concept of luck can impact one's locus of control, either internal or external. Individuals with an internal locus of control believe in personal efforts guiding their achievements, leading to higher self-efficacy. Conversely, an external locus of control attributes outcomes to external forces like luck, potentially lowering self-efficacy. Finding a balance between internal and external control is crucial for optimal psychological well-being and success. Relying too much on luck may shift the locus of control externally, affecting motivation and personal agency.
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The Impact of Believing in Luck on Confidence and Performance
Richard Branson will be the first to tell you that he’s generally a lucky person in business and life.
An adrenaline junkie, he’s lived through several near-death experiences, including in the early ’70s, when he and his then-wife survived a shipwreck that no other passengers did by jumping off the boat in a storm and swimming to shore.
Nir And Far, a podcast about business, behaviour and the brain by Nir Eyal. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes and leave an iTunes review. It will greatly help new listeners discover the show. Please visit my website Nir and Far for other info about my writing, books and teaching: http://www.nirandfar.com/