If you ''want'' to succeed, but try to bluff by saying "Oh, this is going to fail," the universe will see through your bluff and fail you anyway. There is no way to 'outsmart' the universe, because it sees all and knows all.
The second point I came up with while playing Wurm - the universe wants you to waste effort. Note that this does not particularly mean wasting time, just effort. Also note the use of ''waste.'' This does not mean the universe will try to make you expend more effortmoreeffort, just that it will make the most of that effort produce no end and be in vain.
Here's where the distinction comes in handy:
Remember that the universe is not malicious, just mischevious. Remember that it has a sense of humour, so don't let yourself get stressed out.
(I should note that this is tongue-in-cheek superstition. It has as much effect on real life as 'knock on wood.')