13: Lucky or Unlucky?

In Indiana Jones fashion, we've weathered a Mayan curse and a plunge off a cliff, but just when it looked safe to coil up the bullwhip, we're faced with the dreaded 13. And for me, it's getting rather personal.

I've come to love the space where my office is located, but after 5 years the lease is up and it's time to move. I dreaded the idea of hunting up a new location, but luck was with me and I found exactly what I needed. Or was I really lucky?

Welcome to the 13th floor! Triskaidekaphobia, anyone?

I'm not naturally inclined to the superstitious, but it did seem that a connection just might possibly exist considering it would be a move to the 13th floor in 2013. Perhaps my clients would make that connection, as well. Just to be on the safe side, I did some quick research.

13 was considered unlucky in ancient Persia. Well, that was a long time ago. According to Biblical tradition, there were 13 guests at the Last Supper and that didn't turn out too well. A traditional hangman's noose uses 13 turns and there were 13 steps leading to the gallows. Okay, definitely not good.

What about positives? As a prime number, it cannot be divided by any number other than itself and has a cachet of purity and incorruptibility. That's good. It's also a Fibonacci number. Market players like that. Speaking of players, card decks consist of 4 suits of 13 and there are 13 notes in a full chromatic scale. I'd say we're moving in a better direction here.

The U.S. dollar has 13 levels of the truncated pyramid; 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum"; 13 stars above the Eagle; 13 leaves on the olive branch; 13 arrows held by the Eagle; 13 bars on the shield and 13 stripes on the American flag. That's a lot for one piece of paper. Of course, the United States grew from 13 original colonies and, on the whole, I think it's safe to say that has been a positive.

13 has positive significance in many religious traditions. There are 13 full moons in a year and it has been connected to supernatural forces.

It's been suggested that 13 reflects our fear of the unknown because it's the first number we come to after counting all ten fingers and two feet and perhaps that's where the whole issue lies. We are always confronted with the unknown. Read the business news and you'll see that even the most confident sounding forecasters end their columns with caveats that hedge against the unknown.

In marketing, we face the unknown on a daily basis. Given limited resources, is it better to pursue a relationship with one client or another? What pitch is likely to succeed? What kind of campaign will best help a client reach his marketing goal?

If I were superstitious, I guess I could wear special shoes to a meeting or only make a decision when the stars have the right alignment. And if I did lose a deal here and there or have a campaign that I recommended flop, I could put it all down to "bad luck." However, that doesn't work for me.

Ultimately, how we face the unknown and the conclusions we come to are determined by how we approach life in general. For me the unknown has always represented change and potential growth and those are positive factors because I believe in my ability to grow both personally and professionally. I can start a new year filled with apprehension for what may happen or I can embrace the opportunities that come my way.

I've decided. 13 is my lucky number. Yes, I’m making the move on up to a big skyscraper in the sky.

Smarti’s new address: 641 Lexington Ave, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

I might just bring in a cake to work tomorrow to celebrate... a cake with 13 candles.