What would you do if you won the lottery?
Lotteries are becoming a very popular topic these days. It seems every couple of months we can feel the momentum build as the jackpot rises past $100 million, to $200 million on its way to becoming the largest jackpot ever. Promising untold opportunities and all of your problems solved with the purchase of just one ticket.
In the most recent mega millions jackpot the winner purchased the ticket just a few miles from where I live. I was so close to winning; all I had to do was purchase a ticket. I didn’t. In fact I have never purchased a ticket before in my life.
Sure I would love to have millions with which to play and do whatever I want but “dumb luck” is not how I want to get it.
This morning I was thinking about what I would do if I did win the lottery, or better yet, what I would do if the company I have poured my heart and soul into took off and became so successful that money was no longer a thought. The reality is I think that I would continue to work; maybe not in the same way that I do now piling on the hours. And, I might be a little more selective in the clients I engage. But I wouldn’t (couldn’t) spend my days on the couch watching movies and eating chips and salsa.
I would love to do “some” travelling. There are many places in the world that I would like to visit and experience but I couldn’t spend the rest of my days just traveling. I would likely get a little bit bigger house, but who needs a “too big” house. Sure there are a lot of conveniences that having unlimited wealth would provide but “not working” would not be one of them for me.
Why?
Because work is important – for many reasons:
1- Self-esteem– There is power in knowing who you are and the satisfaction of knowing that you have the power to complete, to grow, to become more and to get better. All are part of the self-esteem growth that comes from working.
2- Mental stimulation– Work gives you opportunities to use your mental problem solving skills. Your brain is a muscle and grows stronger with use. As you tackle day to day challenges you increase your mental ability and become able to tackle more and more challenging problems. Work gives your brain something to do.
3- Human interaction– Work can be very social. Even if your job is to sit behind a computer and write about the social benefits of working. When I put together an article I am thinking of you, my audience. I put my thoughts out there and hope that you will enjoy and engage. After I write I jump on social media and interact, answering questions and posing others. Then I have the opportunity to get out and speak to different groups on the things I write about. Even my computer job is social.
4- Sense of accomplishment– When I have a goal to accomplish I feel a sense of pride. Shooting for a target and hitting it makes you feel important and you have a chance to recognize your unique talents and use them to move your organization forward while developing personally.
5- Enjoyment– Work can be fun. It is not always fun but it should be mostly fun. As Confucius said, “choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life”
I do not dream about immediate wealth through lottery jackpots. I seek to find my success and fulfillment through hard work and continually growing and developing. I do not want to rob myself of the journey. I am who I am today because of the experiences that I have had and in the future I will be a better person because of the challenges that the future holds.
I am passing on this mega million lotto opportunity.
Question: What would you do if you won the lottery? How would it change the way you live your life today? What is stopping you from living that life anyway? Leave your comments below or by clicking here.
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