Chapter 1: Understanding Luck in Business

Luck can often seem like a random occurrence, but it actually consists of three components, two of which we can actively influence.

To begin with, what does it truly mean to be lucky? My mother might suggest that it involves winning a massive jackpot at the casino. On the other hand, Ernest Hemingway once advised his son that "you create your own luck." In the realm of feng shui, both perspectives hold a part of the truth. Luck is divided into three categories: tīan yùn (Heaven's luck), dì yùn (Earth's luck), and rén yùn (Human luck).

The concept of Human luck is perhaps the most straightforward. It encompasses the success we generate through our personal efforts. For instance, the odds of winning at a casino are determined by algorithms designed by the casino's staff. This deliberate setup aims to entice players like my mother to keep returning, ensuring they win just enough to stay engaged while maximizing the casino's profits.

Heaven's luck, however, refers to the elements of our fate that are beyond our control. This encompasses outcomes that are preordained, such as who might ultimately land the jackpot. This aspect of luck is immutable, unaffected by either the player or the casino. For example, on March 30, 2024, a man managed to win the jackpot three times in one night, totaling $667,750. That evening, the forces of Heaven, Earth, and Man all aligned in his favor.

Unlike the fixed nature of Heaven's luck, Earth’s luck is more variable and is where feng shui can be particularly beneficial. Picture walking down a road with both smooth and rough patches—this symbolizes life's journey, representing Earth’s luck. Feng shui serves as our guide, helping us navigate this path, ensuring we take the easiest routes while avoiding potential pitfalls.

While Heaven's luck is set in stone, Earth’s and Human luck are within our grasp. This means that luck isn't merely a chance occurrence; we have the ability to shape two-thirds of it. Isn’t that empowering?

Chapter 2: Crafting Your Business Luck

To contextualize the luck of Heaven, Earth, and Man within a business framework, our potential for luck is linked to three key factors: (1) having the approval from Heaven to succeed; (2) the ability to foresee opportunities and challenges; and (3) taking decisive action.

A practical way to influence our business luck is by incorporating symbols of prosperity, such as the maneki-neko, which is believed to attract good fortune. By placing this figure in your business, you not only enhance Earth’s luck but also actively engage Human luck.

The fact that we can take proactive steps to enhance our business luck indicates that it is not a passive endeavor. We can’t simply wait for profits to come if we don’t actively run our business or participate in strategic planning.

In terms of foresight, we can utilize both data-driven insights and feng shui principles to formulate our long-term vision and short-term strategies. Earlier, we discussed how feng shui can illuminate the path ahead. This journey is experienced through energy. If our business environment has an excess of the Water element, we can balance it with the Wood element. Achieving harmony among the elements in our environment leads to a smoother journey and, consequently, a more fortunate business outcome.