Are You Wishing For A Big Break?

Hitting the lottery, finding that one great revolutionary idea that will help me strike it rich, that long lost relative that leaves me a surprise inheritance that will change my life. Tell me you haven’t dreamt of these things before and I will question your honesty.  This idea of catching that one big break the easy way is as much a part of the American dream as anything. It can be fun and exciting to think about what would happen if we struck it rich or found instant success. People are always in search of that one great idea, that one great opportunity that’s so special that’s so unique that it will change their life. I can't say that I blame them really. I mean it’s a great distraction and it can provide us with a bit of hope.  The fact that we could become rich in a moment's notice is why people bet on sports, that's why people go to casinos and buy lottery tickets.  The idea of putting in minimal effort and getting everything we want seems pretty appealing. 

I know personally I think about these things because I’ve taken my turn at slot machines, purchased more than my fair share of lottery tickets and bet on a Super Bowl or two, however at the end of the day, the things that are going to change my life are not the things that come easily, and they’re not the things that happen overnight.  One indicator of this is when you hear stories about people who get a large lottery payout for millions of dollars only to go bankrupt a few years later.  They may have won big but didn’t put in the work, sacrifice and dedication to get there that will create a foundation of positive behaviors and choices. I may win a couple of hundred dollars in a slot machine but do I put it away and invest it? I sure don’t because I didn’t sacrifice to get it.  The money came too easily so it was easy for me to gamble it away again or spend it on things I don’t need.  The get rich quick moment just won’t take us to the next level.  Obviously the odds are against that happening but the things that will truly enrich our lives are the basic everyday things we do over and over and over again.   They are the boring things that people don’t like to do and so often overlook or take for granted because they’re searching for the easy way to get what they want.  

The people that will achieve the most success don’t get bored with the small everyday tasks that aren’t glamorous or fun; they keep doing them regardless of how they feel.  The difference between the people who get it and the people that don’t most generally is what you are willing  to do to get it, are you willing to sacrifice? Are you willing to be committed? Are you willing to learn from those that come before you because if you are, if you’re willing to do all those things you have the opportunity to get where you want to go?

I used to sit around and say things like “if only this could happen, if only that could happen, if this one thing just broke this direction everything would change for me and it would completely make my life better.” The problem with that is those things just don’t happen. We waste time wishing instead of working. I’ve got to focus on what I can do. What do I already have? What are the things that I possess that will allow me to get better to improve my situation? The odds are against me if I’m trying to come up with that one great idea or one big score.  The odds are in my favor if I do the simple things every day there’s no denying it. 

So stop looking and wishing for the quick fix and get fascinated with the simple things, the mundane, the everyday things, the sacrifices, the struggles, the suffering; those are the things that will take you to where you want to go now. Is it true that our neighbor may strike it rich? Is it true that somebody we know might hit the lottery? Is it true that somebody might hit a $1 million bet that we hear about of course it is but those things are so incredibly rare in life.  How about we stop wasting our time wishing on one thing and throw our energy into what works. This doesn’t mean we stop dreaming, it just means we need to find a better way to take action in order to achieve our dreams.  Have a great week and don’t forget when your commitment is greater than your feelings you get results.