A friend once asked what my process was for finding new customers. "Serendipity," I answered somewhat jokingly. In a recent interview, I made the same point, couching it in spiritual terms such as "the Universe."

Serendipity does not imply that one sits around waiting for the all-providing Universe to drop something in your lap. Indeed, Bootstrappers tend to be "lucky people" as defined by Richard Wiseman, in his book, The Luck Factor. This article summarizes his findings. Richard found that good luck had as much to do with a positive inner mindset and an active approach towards discovering the opportunities in life. He articulates four principles that guide lucky people:

1. Maximize your chance opportunities
2. Listen to your Lucky Hunches
3. Expect Good Fortune
4. Turn Bad Luck into Good

A great Bootstrapper is a "serendipity seeker" who uses Wiseman's four principles to cross through multiple Valleys of Death.

Valley of Death? What Valley of Death!