How to get lucky in any crisis?
"Dean Norrie is an expert in the field of crisis management and he helps people find a way out of any life situation" by Brian Tracy Author, Speaker, Consultant
How to get lucky in any crisis?
If you are an experienced business owner or recently started one, it has definitely been a challenging time lately to say the least. But while the future looks uncertain, it’s important to remember that Fortune Favors the Bold. “Life is an adventure that is best lived boldly”, Bear Grylls.
The word ‘crisis' translated into Chinese symbols is ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity’. There are two ways of thinking: negative or positive. Choose a positive mindset in every situation, whether it be good or bad. Always look for the silver lining in a crisis. As with life and in business, we are forever moving in cycles of growth and slowdown (summers and winters). Everything is constantly changing like a tree, it is either growing or dying, there is no standing still. Ask yourself this valuable question: How can I make this crisis my greatest opportunity? Surprisingly, the answer will magically reveal itself in time.
Brian Tracy teaches us that solving problems is a part of being alive, and every few months there will be a crisis. We are always either in a crisis, coming out of one or about to enter another. Problems must be seen as gifts, and solving them makes us stronger. It is said that “God gives us gifts wrapped up as problems, the bigger the problem, the bigger the gift”, Ralph Waldo Emerson. You are only problem free when you are dead.
Growing up in New Zealand and learning about my grandad's World War II story, I wanted to know why he was so lucky compared to others. He even earned the nickname of “the cat of nine lives” after he escaped certain death several times.
Roy Warren Norrie (1918 -2005) and his girlfriend Lorna Cassidy were dating in Christchurch, when in 1939 the Second World War broke out in Europe. In response to the Nazi regime, aggression and invasion of Poland, the New Zealand Royal Army needed volunteers. My Grandad and his brother Dave signed up for the expeditionary forces because, as he once said to me, “it’s better to go now as a volunteer rather than be conscripted later” (and this was a critical decision and another reason why he would survive). Lorna had asked Roy to marry her, but he said no as he couldn’t promise that he would come home alive.
Roy was an engineer/driver and trained in Wellington, then moved to Suva, Fiji to build a military base, before being shipped off to North Africa via Bombay, India and finally arriving in Cairo, Egypt. The Allied Forces progressed on towards Tunisia and then across to Southern Italy and Greece by boat. On arrival in Rome in 1944, the main body was told that they were all going home after completing their tour of duty.
On one occasion near Cassino, Italy, Roy and his fellow men were required to repair bombed Bailey bridges across the rivers to help progress the armed infantry forward, they worked day and night to achieve this. A night shift worker wanted to swap shifts with Roy, so he could go and see a film that night, Roy happily said yes and agreed to work a double shift for him. However, the next day that same bridge was bombed, with the direct hit killing everyone working on it. Roy was saved by the swap. How lucky was he? Luck aside, I think it haunted him for the rest of his life. On ANZAC day, 25th of April, I take time to remember Roy and all the brave men that died fighting for our freedom.
A family member had given him a Tiki before he left New Zealand. He said that he wore it around his neck the whole time at war and never took it off once, not even in the shower. He was told it's for good luck, and Roy firmly believed that it was. The Tiki is a talisman of New Zealand and her Māori people. From ancient times, it has been regarded as a good luck charm. It is widely believed that it represents the unborn human embryo. And in Māori culture this represents a particularly powerful spirit for warding off bad luck.
I always used to say, “I don’t believe in luck and that I make my own”. But after hearing Grandad’s war story, I started to wonder why he was so lucky? In my conclusion, it was that Roy made some good decisions quickly using his gut feelings, saying yes to friends and family if they wanted help. Most importantly though, he believed he was lucky wearing the good luck Tiki and thought positively in the face of adversity. The key point here is, if you believe you are lucky, you are actually more lucky (statistically proven). “No one is luckier than he who believes in his luck”, German proverb. Let’s be honest, everyone living on planet earth is actually very lucky statistically thinking. After all, it’s a miracle to be born at all. “Live, long & Prosper”, Vulcan salute from Star Trek.
Roy’s girlfriend Lorna had met another man and was married before he was conscripted to join the war effort, but unfortunately, he died at war. It was however fortunate for me that this man died, as it meant that I’m alive. The human cost of war, fate, life and death. Later in life, Grandad used to say to me, “You’ve got to move with the times”. Change is inevitable, so there’s no point fighting it, go with it instead. “You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are”, John Lennon
My favorite saying is “choose your career wisely” and “choose the job you love, and you will never work another day in your life”, Confucius. I live my life by those two statements. I believe that life is too short to waste doing something that you don’t enjoy. I go all in for what I want and love. “Just do it", by Nike.
Do you believe in magic? Abracadabra, that childhood magic word is derived from Aramaic, an ancient language of divine worship and religious study, “Abruq Ad Babra”, which literally means “I will create as I speak”. The idea was to give voice to a desire, say the magic word, and it will appear. What we say and think creates our reality. “Luck is infatuated with the efficient”, Persian proverb.
Who is that genie in the bottle? Your wish is my desire (or command). View your inner self (soul) as the Genie, the bottle is your body, rub it, and you will have the power to grant yourself as many wishes as you desire, it’s really that easy. Your dreams will automatically be manifested, the only limiting factor is how badly you want it and the gestation period to receive it. How long will it take for a seed to grow? A bean sprout can grow out of the ground in just a few days, compared to bamboo that takes 3 years. It’s the same for your mind seeds growing into reality, they all take different amounts of time. “Never, never, never give up”. Winston Churchill.
In Japan, a Maneki Neko translated literally as “Beckoning Cat" and commonly known as lucky cats in the west, are thought to bring good luck and wealth to a business. They are a very common sight in Japanese enterprises.
In Ancient Egypt the ankh was considered to be the symbol of eternal life. Many people would wear it as a talisman, and the symbol was used repeatedly in paintings and art. It is also a sign of fertility, so it’s popular with those wishing for a child.
Get lucky in any business market by using the CANI method (Continuous and Never-ending Improvement) and by investing 3% of your income into yourself. No matter what the economy, you will get the edge over your competitors. Be seen as the leader in your industry and position yourself to be in the top 10%. Present an irresistible offer to your client whilst providing them with the most outstanding customer experience possible. Following up & follow through. The customer is the most important part of any business (sales are the lifeblood of any business success). No customer = No business. “Being deeply learned and skilled, being well-trained and using well-spoken words this is good luck”, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
7 step method for getting lucky
1. Imagination. Get ready for opportunities and act on them fast. Be, Do & Have, thoughts become things, read ‘Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill’. “Where your focus goes, energy flows”, Tony Robbins. Be curious and question everything in a growth mindset. “Imagination is everything”, Albert Einstein.
2. Action. Practice and perfect your craft. Like the sun through a magnifying glass with laser like focus creates the fire (repetition is the mother of skill), Act as if and back to the future thinking (imagine thanking your younger self for making the right decisions back then). Use mind-storming, incantations and affirmations to self-programme your thinking. 80% of success is just showing up. “The best fashion accessory is a book”, Vivian Westwood.
3. Gratitude. Give thanks, visualize your success, really feel it, use your inner magic mind, heart and soul, practice mindfulness. Be grateful by asking yourself, what are three things that you are grateful for today? Feel gratitude for what you already have, for what you have had and learned, and for what is still to come to you. Always be grateful, someone will always have more than you, someone will always have much less than you, be grateful and happy for what you have today. “Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift”, Aretha Franklin.
4. Attitude. Be kind, meditate, relax, breathe deeply and be happy. Listen to your gut feelings. Live in the present. Over thinking about the past can cause feelings of pain, regret or depression. Over thinking about the future can bring feelings of anxiety, live in the present for feelings of love, happiness and contentment. “You can always give something, even if it is only kindness”, Anne Frank.
5. Contribution. Giving back to your community, your charity and creating your legacy. Give to receive. For example, if you smile at someone (it's free) they will most often always smile back at you. “If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of”, Bruce Lee.
6. Ask. What is the magic word? Ask and you shall receive. I’m sure they meant, ask intelligently and you may receive. A few years ago, I was teaching my seven-year-old daughter Grace a lesson about asking. How to ask when she wanted something and to say please and thank you. I also said to her, “If you don’t ask you don’t get”, She said, with a smile, “What if I ask a man for 1 million dollars?” I answered, “That’s a good question, he would probably say no”, then I realized, I had asked a man for $1 million and he (the bank) said yes. “Diligence is the mother of good luck”, Benjamin Franklin.
7. Faith, love and respect, don’t be afraid, just have faith that all is well, you are always fine. Think in a way that things always happen For Me - Not to Me. Never be the victim. “Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming”, David Bowie.
Anticipate future problems and opportunities by being prepared, ready to pivot and change direction if need be. Write a Business Plan yearly and review every 3 months. It’s also important to have a Plan B. When trying something new, fail-forward and bounce, don’t break. If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again. “Don’t wish it was easy, wish you were better”, Jim Rohn.
Choose your meaning and change your approach. Never take on a “poor me” or victim mentality. Choose your own meaning in any situation that will serve you best. "If something isn’t working, try it again with a different approach”, Tony Robbins.
A dream written down with a date becomes a GOAL, A goal broken down into steps becomes a PLAN. A plan backed by ACTION makes your dreams come true. “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail”, Benjamin Franklin.
How to set smart goals?
Start bridging the gap between where you are today and where you want to be in the future. “You can do anything you decide to”, Amelia Earhart.
S. Specific 1. What do I really want? 2. Why? 3. What are my requirements? 4. What are my constraints?
M. Measurable 1. How will I measure my progress? 2. How will I know when my goal is accomplished?
A. Achievable 1. How can my goal be accomplished? 2. What are the logical steps?
R. Relevant 1. Is my goal worthwhile? 2. Is it the right time? 3. Do I have the resources? 4. Is this goal in line with my long-term objectives.
T. Time-bound 1. How long will my goal take? 2. What is my completion date? Review the successes and failures of the goals at the end for lessons learned. Reward and celebrate the completion of your goals. Set deadlines and celebrate the milestones along the way. Asking yourself the right questions is crucial. “Life is a journey not a destination, enjoy the journey”, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Take massive action today by getting started, and you will set the wheels in motion towards your fantastic future. By doing one thing every day, big or small, will build momentum and speed. Trust your instincts. The meaning of success? Favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals. The attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. “Working smart & hard with disciplined action in a positive way attracts success, this is my own definition of getting lucky”, Dean Norrie.
Be the divergent thinker, seek to understand both sides of the story. Always ask yourself, why? Is this the best way? Use the zero-based thinking method, stand back and look at every part of your business or personal life and ask the question, “If I was not now doing this, knowing what I now know, would I get involved in this area again?” Knowing What I Now Know, analysis. “Don't count the days, make the days count”, Muhammad Ali.
The grasshopper is a symbol of good luck and fortune, as well as focus, abundance, intuition, taking a leap of faith, achievement, freedom, wealth, and patience. Grasshoppers represent a connection to the higher self, the spiritual world, and listening to our inner voice. Hopping forward like steppingstones to your greater success. “The moment we decide to fulfil something, we can do anything”, Greta Thunberg.
Humanity lives in behavioral patterns, it’s where we live, if your‘e not happy where you are living and want to change, break the cycle. Change your patterns and you will change your life. In conclusion; I believe that the future will be much like the same, a mixture of opportunity mixed in with disaster. The only control we have is our attitude and deciding if it‘s an opportunity or disaster.
We have designed an easy-to-understand business growth, strategy and implementation plan. We have specialist online courses, mentoring programmes, cheat sheets and simple templates to keep you accountable and to achieve greater success in your life and business. It is our pleasure to help you on your journey to success. “It's a crazy world out there, be curious”, Stephen Hawking.
“The time is always right to do what's right”, Martin Luther King Junior.
Get going, get good, and get lucky. www.theluckygrasshopper.co.nz
If you are an experienced business owner or recently started one, it has definitely been a challenging time lately to say the least. But while the future looks uncertain, it’s important to remember that Fortune Favors the Bold. “Life is an adventure that is best lived boldly”, Bear Grylls.
The word ‘crisis' translated into Chinese symbols is ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity’. There are two ways of thinking: negative or positive. Choose a positive mindset in every situation, whether it be good or bad. Always look for the silver lining in a crisis. As with life and in business, we are forever moving in cycles of growth and slowdown (summers and winters). Everything is constantly changing like a tree, it is either growing or dying, there is no standing still. Ask yourself this valuable question: How can I make this crisis my greatest opportunity? Surprisingly, the answer will magically reveal itself in time.
Brian Tracy teaches us that solving problems is a part of being alive, and every few months there will be a crisis. We are always either in a crisis, coming out of one or about to enter another. Problems must be seen as gifts, and solving them makes us stronger. It is said that “God gives us gifts wrapped up as problems, the bigger the problem, the bigger the gift”, Ralph Waldo Emerson. You are only problem free when you are dead.
Growing up in New Zealand and learning about my grandad's World War II story, I wanted to know why he was so lucky compared to others. He even earned the nickname of “the cat of nine lives” after he escaped certain death several times.
Roy Warren Norrie (1918 -2005) and his girlfriend Lorna Cassidy were dating in Christchurch, when in 1939 the Second World War broke out in Europe. In response to the Nazi regime, aggression and invasion of Poland, the New Zealand Royal Army needed volunteers. My Grandad and his brother Dave signed up for the expeditionary forces because, as he once said to me, “it’s better to go now as a volunteer rather than be conscripted later” (and this was a critical decision and another reason why he would survive). Lorna had asked Roy to marry her, but he said no as he couldn’t promise that he would come home alive.
Roy was an engineer/driver and trained in Wellington, then moved to Suva, Fiji to build a military base, before being shipped off to North Africa via Bombay, India and finally arriving in Cairo, Egypt. The Allied Forces progressed on towards Tunisia and then across to Southern Italy and Greece by boat. On arrival in Rome in 1944, the main body was told that they were all going home after completing their tour of duty.
On one occasion near Cassino, Italy, Roy and his fellow men were required to repair bombed Bailey bridges across the rivers to help progress the armed infantry forward, they worked day and night to achieve this. A night shift worker wanted to swap shifts with Roy, so he could go and see a film that night, Roy happily said yes and agreed to work a double shift for him. However, the next day that same bridge was bombed, with the direct hit killing everyone working on it. Roy was saved by the swap. How lucky was he? Luck aside, I think it haunted him for the rest of his life. On ANZAC day, 25th of April, I take time to remember Roy and all the brave men that died fighting for our freedom.
A family member had given him a Tiki before he left New Zealand. He said that he wore it around his neck the whole time at war and never took it off once, not even in the shower. He was told it's for good luck, and Roy firmly believed that it was. The Tiki is a talisman of New Zealand and her Māori people. From ancient times, it has been regarded as a good luck charm. It is widely believed that it represents the unborn human embryo. And in Māori culture this represents a particularly powerful spirit for warding off bad luck.
I always used to say, “I don’t believe in luck and that I make my own”. But after hearing Grandad’s war story, I started to wonder why he was so lucky? In my conclusion, it was that Roy made some good decisions quickly using his gut feelings, saying yes to friends and family if they wanted help. Most importantly though, he believed he was lucky wearing the good luck Tiki and thought positively in the face of adversity. The key point here is, if you believe you are lucky, you are actually more lucky (statistically proven). “No one is luckier than he who believes in his luck”, German proverb. Let’s be honest, everyone living on planet earth is actually very lucky statistically thinking. After all, it’s a miracle to be born at all. “Live, long & Prosper”, Vulcan salute from Star Trek.
Roy’s girlfriend Lorna had met another man and was married before he was conscripted to join the war effort, but unfortunately, he died at war. It was however fortunate for me that this man died, as it meant that I’m alive. The human cost of war, fate, life and death. Later in life, Grandad used to say to me, “You’ve got to move with the times”. Change is inevitable, so there’s no point fighting it, go with it instead. “You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are”, John Lennon
My favorite saying is “choose your career wisely” and “choose the job you love, and you will never work another day in your life”, Confucius. I live my life by those two statements. I believe that life is too short to waste doing something that you don’t enjoy. I go all in for what I want and love. “Just do it", by Nike.
Do you believe in magic? Abracadabra, that childhood magic word is derived from Aramaic, an ancient language of divine worship and religious study, “Abruq Ad Babra”, which literally means “I will create as I speak”. The idea was to give voice to a desire, say the magic word, and it will appear. What we say and think creates our reality. “Luck is infatuated with the efficient”, Persian proverb.
Who is that genie in the bottle? Your wish is my desire (or command). View your inner self (soul) as the Genie, the bottle is your body, rub it, and you will have the power to grant yourself as many wishes as you desire, it’s really that easy. Your dreams will automatically be manifested, the only limiting factor is how badly you want it and the gestation period to receive it. How long will it take for a seed to grow? A bean sprout can grow out of the ground in just a few days, compared to bamboo that takes 3 years. It’s the same for your mind seeds growing into reality, they all take different amounts of time. “Never, never, never give up”. Winston Churchill.
In Japan, a Maneki Neko translated literally as “Beckoning Cat" and commonly known as lucky cats in the west, are thought to bring good luck and wealth to a business. They are a very common sight in Japanese enterprises.
In Ancient Egypt the ankh was considered to be the symbol of eternal life. Many people would wear it as a talisman, and the symbol was used repeatedly in paintings and art. It is also a sign of fertility, so it’s popular with those wishing for a child.
Get lucky in any business market by using the CANI method (Continuous and Never-ending Improvement) and by investing 3% of your income into yourself. No matter what the economy, you will get the edge over your competitors. Be seen as the leader in your industry and position yourself to be in the top 10%. Present an irresistible offer to your client whilst providing them with the most outstanding customer experience possible. Following up & follow through. The customer is the most important part of any business (sales are the lifeblood of any business success). No customer = No business. “Being deeply learned and skilled, being well-trained and using well-spoken words this is good luck”, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
7 step method for getting lucky
1. Imagination. Get ready for opportunities and act on them fast. Be, Do & Have, thoughts become things, read ‘Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill’. “Where your focus goes, energy flows”, Tony Robbins. Be curious and question everything in a growth mindset. “Imagination is everything”, Albert Einstein.
2. Action. Practice and perfect your craft. Like the sun through a magnifying glass with laser like focus creates the fire (repetition is the mother of skill), Act as if and back to the future thinking (imagine thanking your younger self for making the right decisions back then). Use mind-storming, incantations and affirmations to self-programme your thinking. 80% of success is just showing up. “The best fashion accessory is a book”, Vivian Westwood.
3. Gratitude. Give thanks, visualize your success, really feel it, use your inner magic mind, heart and soul, practice mindfulness. Be grateful by asking yourself, what are three things that you are grateful for today? Feel gratitude for what you already have, for what you have had and learned, and for what is still to come to you. Always be grateful, someone will always have more than you, someone will always have much less than you, be grateful and happy for what you have today. “Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift”, Aretha Franklin.
4. Attitude. Be kind, meditate, relax, breathe deeply and be happy. Listen to your gut feelings. Live in the present. Over thinking about the past can cause feelings of pain, regret or depression. Over thinking about the future can bring feelings of anxiety, live in the present for feelings of love, happiness and contentment. “You can always give something, even if it is only kindness”, Anne Frank.
5. Contribution. Giving back to your community, your charity and creating your legacy. Give to receive. For example, if you smile at someone (it's free) they will most often always smile back at you. “If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of”, Bruce Lee.
6. Ask. What is the magic word? Ask and you shall receive. I’m sure they meant, ask intelligently and you may receive. A few years ago, I was teaching my seven-year-old daughter Grace a lesson about asking. How to ask when she wanted something and to say please and thank you. I also said to her, “If you don’t ask you don’t get”, She said, with a smile, “What if I ask a man for 1 million dollars?” I answered, “That’s a good question, he would probably say no”, then I realized, I had asked a man for $1 million and he (the bank) said yes. “Diligence is the mother of good luck”, Benjamin Franklin.
7. Faith, love and respect, don’t be afraid, just have faith that all is well, you are always fine. Think in a way that things always happen For Me - Not to Me. Never be the victim. “Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming”, David Bowie.
Anticipate future problems and opportunities by being prepared, ready to pivot and change direction if need be. Write a Business Plan yearly and review every 3 months. It’s also important to have a Plan B. When trying something new, fail-forward and bounce, don’t break. If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again. “Don’t wish it was easy, wish you were better”, Jim Rohn.
Choose your meaning and change your approach. Never take on a “poor me” or victim mentality. Choose your own meaning in any situation that will serve you best. "If something isn’t working, try it again with a different approach”, Tony Robbins.
A dream written down with a date becomes a GOAL, A goal broken down into steps becomes a PLAN. A plan backed by ACTION makes your dreams come true. “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail”, Benjamin Franklin.
How to set smart goals?
Start bridging the gap between where you are today and where you want to be in the future. “You can do anything you decide to”, Amelia Earhart.
S. Specific 1. What do I really want? 2. Why? 3. What are my requirements? 4. What are my constraints?
M. Measurable 1. How will I measure my progress? 2. How will I know when my goal is accomplished?
A. Achievable 1. How can my goal be accomplished? 2. What are the logical steps?
R. Relevant 1. Is my goal worthwhile? 2. Is it the right time? 3. Do I have the resources? 4. Is this goal in line with my long-term objectives.
T. Time-bound 1. How long will my goal take? 2. What is my completion date? Review the successes and failures of the goals at the end for lessons learned. Reward and celebrate the completion of your goals. Set deadlines and celebrate the milestones along the way. Asking yourself the right questions is crucial. “Life is a journey not a destination, enjoy the journey”, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Take massive action today by getting started, and you will set the wheels in motion towards your fantastic future. By doing one thing every day, big or small, will build momentum and speed. Trust your instincts. The meaning of success? Favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals. The attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. “Working smart & hard with disciplined action in a positive way attracts success, this is my own definition of getting lucky”, Dean Norrie.
Be the divergent thinker, seek to understand both sides of the story. Always ask yourself, why? Is this the best way? Use the zero-based thinking method, stand back and look at every part of your business or personal life and ask the question, “If I was not now doing this, knowing what I now know, would I get involved in this area again?” Knowing What I Now Know, analysis. “Don't count the days, make the days count”, Muhammad Ali.
The grasshopper is a symbol of good luck and fortune, as well as focus, abundance, intuition, taking a leap of faith, achievement, freedom, wealth, and patience. Grasshoppers represent a connection to the higher self, the spiritual world, and listening to our inner voice. Hopping forward like steppingstones to your greater success. “The moment we decide to fulfil something, we can do anything”, Greta Thunberg.
Humanity lives in behavioral patterns, it’s where we live, if your‘e not happy where you are living and want to change, break the cycle. Change your patterns and you will change your life. In conclusion; I believe that the future will be much like the same, a mixture of opportunity mixed in with disaster. The only control we have is our attitude and deciding if it‘s an opportunity or disaster.
We have designed an easy-to-understand business growth, strategy and implementation plan. We have specialist online courses, mentoring programmes, cheat sheets and simple templates to keep you accountable and to achieve greater success in your life and business. It is our pleasure to help you on your journey to success. “It's a crazy world out there, be curious”, Stephen Hawking.
“The time is always right to do what's right”, Martin Luther King Junior.
Get going, get good, and get lucky. www.theluckygrasshopper.co.nz