Bam! You just won the latest Powerball jackpot! $200 million coming your way. Congrats! Now, what are you going to do with all that money?
This is an age-old question, pondered by the young and old as they daydream of untold riches and an opulent lifestyle. Typical answers involve acquiring more “stuff”. Buying a boat, plane, private island, beach house or mansion. Sounds like a plan. Let’s get this bread!
But a recent conversation with a trusted client offered a remarkably refreshing perspective on winning the lottery. He keeps a list of all the people who have helped him in his life. Family members. Loved ones. Colleagues. Mentors. Old friends. He calls it his “Lottery List”.
If he strikes it big with six matching numbers, he will pay his “Lottery List” first. How? Cash gift cards with a monthly stipend up to the maximum amount, refillable in perpetuity! That works!
I asked him about updating the list, potentially pruning it as he moves through the different stages of his life.
“It’s not about taking people off the list. Just because I’m not currently in touch with someone, doesn’t mean I have forgotten about them. It’s more about meeting new people and adding them to the list.”
(Author’s note: In the end, I agreed to pay for lunch. I wonder if his list grew by one that day?)
The “Lottery List” is one of the simplest and most powerful manifestations of appreciation. My client recognizes that he couldn’t get to where he is now without help. So true. We can’t make it alone. We have to cherish those who inspire us, encourage us, and make our lives better. And while this is a noble concept as it pertains to the lottery, we should keep this perspective in mind at all times.
In our work and personal lives, we need to recognize and appreciate our “Lottery List”, even if we never buy a single ticket.
We Are Not on an Island
In our work lives, it takes a village to reach any level of success. The founder of a company can’t bring his vision to life without a dedicated and loyal staff to see it through. The all-star salesperson can’t achieve rainmaker status without help from research or technical support. The manager can’t make an impact on the company without team members who sacrifice for the cause. The coach or teacher will never be fulfilled unless their players and students put in the work. We are all interconnected and we to need to recognize we are not on an island.
That is not to say that our own toil and unique talent play no role in our own success. Quite the contrary! We have earned the rewards of our hard work. We deserve to celebrate our victories. But our “Lottery List” of support also deserves our attention. They deserve our recognition. They deserve our loyalty in return. And when the time comes to show our gratitude, they deserve to know how much they mean to us.
Appreciation is a Gift
And this is even more critical in our personal lives. Who are the people that have earned that first cut of the lottery money? The parent who always has our back. The son or daughter who returns the love later in life. The brother or sister who is always there for us in our time of need. The friend who always shoots us straight. The spouse who offers unconditional love. Where would we be without these people?
There are times when the tidal wave of stress washes over us. There are times when it feels as if we are drowning. There are times when we feel all alone with the struggle. But we are not alone. We are never alone. Our inner circle will always be there for us. Our loved ones who guided us through the difficult times will ALWAYS be on our list. They deserve to know how much we care. They deserve to share in the spoils of any “riches” that come our way.
And sometimes appreciation is the greatest and only gift we can offer.
Dare to Dream
We need to make our list. We need to keep these people in the forefront of our minds. Without our “Lottery List”, we wouldn’t have a career. Without our “Lottery List”, we wouldn’t survive our everyday struggles. Without the people on our “Lottery List”, we wouldn’t be able to to stay resilient!
So go ahead and buy that lottery ticket if you are in the mood. Financial analysts will tell you it is not a wise investment. They are probably correct. But why not dream a little? Just don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t go your way. There is more to the lottery than matching all six numbers.
Make your “Lottery List”. Keep adding to it. That list holds the key to your success and fulfillment. And that list is the greatest jackpot of all.
Cherish those people on your “Lottery List”. If you stay true to them and show your appreciation, you don’t need to check your numbers. You have already won the lottery!
So very true Rob! I am really enjoying your blog!! It’s a wonderful way to start the week. Thank you!!
Thanks, Phoebe. Just a few nuggets each week. Glad they are helping.
So true. Thanks, Joe Tropea
Rob . . . I loved “Winning the Lottery”. This is a game that I have played for at least the last 10 years. The game could only be played in the car driving to the beach (because it would make the trip go so much faster). The rules were a little bit different and there were several versions of the game. One of my favorites was let’s say the lottery dollar amount was 50 million.
That meant you could either pick 10 people who would get $5 million each or 25 people who would enjoy $2 million each or 50 people who would receive $1 million each. The number of winners was always based on the jackpot amount.
You could only pick people who you knew would use the $$ for good reasons. (education, pay off mortgages, special health care needs, etc,etc) You didn’t want someone who would waste the gift on foolishness. Additional rules were : only one spouse could be on the list, no more than 2 family members, the winners could only be women, the winners could only be men, the winners could only be people that you had known since (select the year). You get the idea. But the real kicker was ALL MONEY HAD TO BE GIVEN ANONYMOUSLY. No one could ever know you were the donor. The essence of giving. I still play the game and my drive to Bethany seems much less than 3 hours. Now you understand why I like the way your brain works. . .
Muffet Boland
Muffet, I love it! Especially the part about using it “for good reasons”. That is the name of the game…and likely the reason they are on your list in the first place! Thank you so much for reading and taking the message to heart. I and I hope all your trips to Bethany fly by!
I have bought lottery tickets on rare occasions – like only when it is super big. And every time I have bought a ticket there is a little bit of me that hopes I don’t actually win! I have fun fantasizing what I would do with all that money but in the end I always worry how much it could potentially change my rather simple, peaceful life… ( I do not feel that way when I am writing college tuition checks – then I am thinking please let me win the lottery. :))
Thanks, Kathy. It is, actually, a huge responsibility. But I am ready to accept the challenge!