Reviewed by Antonella Townsend
My mother said, many times, that she was lucky, furthermore, it was better to be lucky than rich. Thankfully, on the subject of luck, I can now refer to a higher authority than mother, who incidentally would not walk under a ladder if her life depended on it. Nobuko Nakano, a neuroscientist, has studied luck and presents readers with: ‘a guide to attracting luck, cultivating success and leading a happier life’. Apparently, luck is not as random as popular thinking would have it; this is something we can actually work towards achieving.
Nobuko Nakano has identified the mindset, patterns of behaviour and conduct that increase the chances of becoming lucky. In short how to cultivate a lucky brain. Using a large sample set, she reports that lucky people have some vital attitudes in common. She discusses in five chapters how lucky people live in the world also explaining how a mindset effects brain chemicals.
Chapter One ‘Lucky People Put Themselves at the Centre of the World’ . This is not necessarily about being selfish, rather taking care of yourself, making the most of who you are. Nakano explains caring for yourself can be in many little ways, affirming the feeling that you are a worthwhile person. This in turn produces neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline that induce good emotions.
The above is discussed fully, providing readers with evidence-based research that fully justifies taking care of yourself and the outcomes of different personality and attitude.
Chapter Two ‘Lucky People are Convinced of Their Own Luck’. Another version of the glass half full perhaps. But if readers do not believe themselves to be lucky saying aloud ‘I am lucky’ starts to change the brain. Again, this is backed up with science concerning the hippocampus and memory. Nakano recommends doing this for three weeks in order to form new circuits in the brain. Also spending time with other people who are lucky helps change attitudes; this is all to do with mirror neurons. She backs this up with some most interesting research.
Chapter Three ‘Lucky People Try to Live in Harmony with Others’. This seems obvious but Nakano goes into great detail, referring to Neanderthals, Cro-Magnons, and Homo sapiens!
It is no surprise that lucky people behave graciously and wish the best for everyone to prosper. She references American neuroscientist Paul MacLean’s theory of three brains: reptilian, paleomammalian and neo-mammalian, suggesting the stages of co-operation that enhance survival.
Chapter Four ‘Lucky People Set Their Own Standards for Happiness’. Nakano writes of serendipitous discoveries in the world of science; such scientists share common traits in that these people have worked hard to prepare the ground to receive good luck and that they have unwavering goals concerning what they want to achieve. These people do not give up, understanding that the brain gets bored and being creative in way to stimulate it. They persist, even in failure, and always keep their hopes and dreams in mind.
Chapter Five ‘Lucky People Pray’. Given that this book is full of evidence-based scientific research this might seem like an odd final chapter, but Nakano emphasises praying for other people including enemies reaps results. This of course falls in line with Christian teachings, as well as the Buddhist tradition. This chapter is emphasised in the Epilogue.
Nobuko Nakano studied neurology at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine and then went on to research at the Saclay Nuclear Research Centre in France. She uses science-based evidence to encourage readers towards living a happier life.
by Nobuko Nakano
(2026)
Simon & Schuster Australia
Paperback
ISBN: 9781398551190
$29.99; 184pp