How To Win The Lottery

I've been thinking a lot about the lottery lately. Over the last few weeks I've seen story after story of content creators here on Steemit making a killing.

Many have made LIFE changing sums of money.

And to an extent, Steemit is a version of the lottery.

While I'd be lying if I said I haven't spent a few minutes thinking about what I would do with an extraordinary payout, I've spent even more time thinking about what it means to win the lottery of life.

It goes without saying, if you're able to read this on your smartphone or Macbook computer you've already won the lottery just by where you were born.

Really.

Sure, you may have a some of college debt, a car payment, and a job where you feel stuck -- but all things considered you've been gifted a chance to make an impact.

A chance to blaze your own path.

That isn't to trivialize the current issues you face in your daily life of course, but it is a reminder that you have a lot going for you whether you acknowledge so or not.

And it's so easy to lose sight of that.

While a few lucky individuals win the lottery each day you don't have to wait to be picked. There's more than one way to win the lottery and it's well within your reach.

Let's dig in.

Embrace What You Have

The reason millions of people have went to their local gas station over the last few months to pick up a ticket is because many of us choose to live in a world of what if's.

The reason you see so many new Steemit users come in hopes of getting rick quick, is because they are chasing something more.

If I only had some more money I could finally travel the world!

If only I lived in a better location, I could find a job I love!

If I won the lottery, I could finally live to my full potential!

If I had a personal trainer I could get the six pack abs I've always wanted!

If only my parents had raised me better, I wouldn't be in this situation!

These are excuses of course. And often these excuses are real. But when we allow ourselves to wait for a certain outcome to change our lives we give our power away to what we can do now.

And let's be honest how often does that work out?

Living in the land of what if's is fun every now and again -- I've found myself wanting to move in permanently on occasion. But the land of what if's is just that. It doesn't give you anything of substance.

It keeps you perpetually stuck in a land always waiting.. always wanting more.

But if you choose to stop living in the land of what if's a strange thing begins to happen. You soon start finding progress in whatever area it may be. And that all begins by embracing what you have now.

You may not have access to the "best workout" program, but you certainly can start eating one healthy meal a day.

You may not be able to switch careers right now, but you can start working on the things that bring you joy.

You might not be able to fly first class to any country in the world, but if you want to travel you absolutely can if you choose to make it a priority.

We get so caught up in the things we want or need we forget what we have. And for you, for me, that's an awful lot.

Your reality is the result of your embracing what you have now. Stop wishing for a single event to change your life. The change you seek is within your reach as long as you start using the tools you already have.

Invest In Yourself

When was the last time you invested in yourself? I mean, really, truly invested in yourself?

Sure, binge watching Netflix might make for a fun Saturday night, but those moments are fleeting.

When was the last time you worked on improving your relationship with your significant other? When was the last time you asked for candid feedback on how to improve in your latest work project?

When was the last time you joined a gym and committed to seeing results?

When was the last time you bought a book that caught your eye?

When was the last time you took a course on a subject that interested in you?

You're busy. I'm busy. I get it.

But without investing in yourself regularly it's no wonder we never seem to find the results we seek.

Investing in yourself doesn't mean you can't have fun. It doesn't mean you can't watch football on Sunday. It doesn't mean you can't go have a night on the town.

Investing in yourself means taking your journey of personal growth seriously.

It means committing to getting better each and every day. It means putting in the work. It means wanting to be better than you were yesterday and doing everything you can to improve.

Show Up

Just as buying more lottery tickets or posting more content would technically raise your chances of becoming a winner -- showing up regularly in your work and personal life increases your chances of creating a life you love.

And the amount of tickets you can buy depends entirely on you.

Quit sitting on the sidelines waiting to be picked. Go out and make things happen.

If you want to write a book... sit down and write.
If you want to switch careers.. do what needs to be done.
If you want better relationships.. put in the effort and be vulnerable.
If you want to lose weight.. start simple and start small.
You're going to to stumble. You'll have plenty of bad days. But when you make it a habit of putting in the work, even when things aren't going your way, you'll start winning the lottery on a regular basis.

It's no coincidence that many of the most successful men and women in the world took decades to get there. It's because they continued to show up when many chose to sit home instead.

Show Gratitude

It's become increasingly clear the amazing benefits of showing gratitude on a daily basis. It makes you happier, healthier, and even more well liked.

Of course, being grateful doesn't mean you have to always have a smile on your face.

Sometimes the clouds block the sun.

But regularly showing your appreciation for what you have can do wonders for your life satisfaction. The best part? It's free.

You can start by writing three things you're grateful for each and every day.

Did you have a fantastic home cooked meal? Did your grandma finally figure out Facetime? Did your boss give you a compliment on your latest presentation? Did your dog give you a big fat kiss?

The more you focus on what's going great in your life, the more greatness you'll see. The more you focus on how lucky you are, the more lucky you become.

Showing gratitude isn't some woowoo secret. In fact, showing appreciation and gratitude is very real. There's so much to be grateful for. So much opportunity knocking at your door.

You can win the lottery today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of your life.

But only if you want.

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First published on A Boundless World