The Inner Track
I never thought I’d find myself at Talladega.
NASCAR had not been on my radar, and spending a weekend surrounded by roaring engines and die-hard fans certainly wasn’t on my bucket list. But when friends called us up a few years ago with a VIP invitation to join them at Talladega, and to camp out in a brand-new RV parked on the inner track—the very heart of the action—I paused for just a moment before responding, “Why the heck not?”
That spontaneous “yes” led to an exhilarating and adventurous weekend! There we were, feet away from the thundering cars as they tore around the track, feeling the ground shake with their power. We were strategically positioned in lawn chairs on the roof of the RV, alongside the first turn. We were as close to the action as anyone could possibly get besides the pit crew. It was so exciting!
All weekend long we were surrounded by NASCAR fans whose passion was infectious. Couples wore matching outfits, donning their favorite driver’s car number, and shirts covered in all those well-known sponsorship logos. From our sunrise cup of coffee while watching the drivers warm up, to a sunset country music concert, it was a world I never knew I wanted to be part of. But once we were in, I felt lucky to experience it, especially from the inner track.
When the weekend was over and we were driving past the Alabama cotton fields (another thing I had never seen before) heading to the airport, I remember thinking: I’m so glad we said yes to this.
How often do we say no to experiences simply because they’re not part of our plan? Or they seem too spontaneous, threatening to push us too far out of our comfort zones? Do you ever wonder what you’re missing out on by saying no? Have you ever regretted some of those decisions?
Now think about the times you said, “Why the heck not?” when a cool opportunity arose. Oftentimes, those unexpected yeses lead to the most memorable adventures and personal growth. We’re left feeling lucky to have had the chance to do something so special.
Richard Wiseman, author of The Luck Factor, found that so-called “lucky people” aren’t just stumbling into good fortune—they actually create it by saying yes to opportunities. They’re more likely to try new things, meet new people, and take chances that others might shy away from. By being open to the unexpected, lucky people increase their chances of experiencing something extraordinary.
My Talladega experience wasn’t just about the race; it was about saying yes to something I never would have considered before I got the invitation. It was about stepping into a world I didn’t know I’d enjoy, and finding excitement, connection, and a little bit of magic in the unexpected.
What’s one thing you could say yes to this month that might lead to a new adventure, a new connection, or a new perspective?
As we step into March, the season of shamrocks and serendipity, take a page from the book of lucky people and open yourself up to more possibilities and chance encounters. Say yes to an invite you haven’t planned for.
No one wants to live life watching other people have all the fun.
Instead of sitting safely on the outskirts, what if you said yes more, and started experiencing life from the inner track?
This Month’s Resources & Cool Ideas
10 Fun Facts About Talladega
Maybe the only exposure you’ve had to the Talladega Speedway is what you learned from Will Farrell in the Talladega Nights movie. Believe it or not, there’s quite a lot to experience at such an iconic venue. Read here for 10 fun facts you might not know about Talladega.
Change Your Luck, Change Your Life
I know it’s hard to believe that there is a science to luck. But once you read through the stories and examples in Dr. Richard Wiseman’s book The Luck Factor, I think you’ll start to see how you could become a much luckier person by taking on his tips and ideas.
You Take the Cake
Want to try the best vanilla cake of your life? It’s sweet and decadent, with the perfect amount of buttercream frosting tucked into every layer. If you’ve never experienced a dessert from Milk Bar in NYC, you are missing out. Trust me: this little 6” cake is worth every penny of the $62 they charge to ship it right to your house or office! Click on the link to see what I mean. We ordered it for Valentine’s Day and finished every last crumb.
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