Avoid the lottery mentality trap

 

"Minnesota normally sells between seven and nine million tickets a week - more if the Powerball jackpot is big."

This is the estimated quote that I recieved when requesting information from the state of Minnesota (my home state) about how many people purchase lottery tickets throughout the year. They went on to say that more detailed estimates could be found on their website so I made my way to the MN state lottery website (click on annual report in the menu), and discovered that in 2005, 2.1 Million adults, in Minnesota, purchased lottery tickets. 2.1 Million. To me this means that 2.1 Million people felt that in the year of 2005 it was better to leave their finacial security up to chance rather then taking the time to learn the process of obtaining and maintaining that security.

You'll find this way of thinking in business as well, namely in the Network Marketing industry. Reps are encouraged to sponsor anyone and everyone, companies sing the praises of how easy it is to make stacks of money (-Everyone- can do this business, its that easy!), giving not only the reps but the people that they intend to sponsor the wrong idea. I've heard it time and time again on the company driven conference calls and it truely drives me crazy to hear it. Network Marketing isn't for everyone, not everyone can do it, and having the lottery mentality isn't going to suit you well if you wish to start your own business the MLM way.

Now before I go on any further I want to clarify two things -- First, I define the lottery mentality as the desire to put minimal or no effort into something and reap enormous rewards. And secondly, I'm not in any way trying to squish anyones hopes and dreams. If you are a network marketer and you've got your mind set on becoming rich I applaud (More power to ya!) the fact that you actually know what you want. Most do not, but that is another subject in and of itself.

Like anything in life, if you want a business that grows and thrives it takes great effort and hours of work to attain it. It isn't as simple as signing a couple people, and BANG! your business explodes. It can happen that way but just like the lottery, the chances are very slim and if you aren't prepared for it you aren't going to be able to maintain the momentum needed to sustatin it.

My advice to you is to be realistic in your goals and expectations of the thing, Regardless of what it is, Network Marketing or something else in your life, recognize that anything worth your time is going to require effort. That effort will then be rewarded with experience, and experience with growth. Both in your personal life and in your business. I can say this and know it to be true because I myself began with pre-concieved idea of getting rich quick. Over the last 6 months I've grown exponentially as a person, and in return my business will also.

So by all means, take the time to dream because that is a necessary part of the process of staying the course, but also recognize that you've taken up a challenge, not a free lunch. It is a process. Embrace it and grow with it and you will achieve your goals and have what you want.

To your success!

God Bless,

Tim

 

Comments

[Ann Michael]

Great Post Tim!

I find that there are two mentalities that really impede someone's success. This is one. The other one is the "victim" mentality. The idea some people have that everything is happening to them and that they are not responible for outcomes or compelled to shape things the way they would like them to be.

My own disclaimer is that obviously bad things happen to people (sometimes REALLY bad things) and these bad things are often beyond their control. Being a victim doesn't necessarily make you someone with a victim mentality. The question is: What do you do next?

[Me (of liveyourbestlife)]

Thanks Ann, and you make a great point. Many people are stuck in that mindset as well, and its a shame because it prevents them from realizing their full potential. And I agree with you whole-heartedly on the fact that sometimes really horrible things do happen, but I'm reminded of a quote I used in a post not long ago:

“Life brings sorrows and joys alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle.” -Theodore Roosevelt

It is the road that you chose that is critical, not how much time you spend on the road once you've started.

[Richard Orchard]

What you mentioned in your post is something that needs to be addressed. Hopefully people will start to turn around to be educated rather than waiting for their ship to sail in. You will still find some that would prefer to make it the easy way. But the easy way is not usually the easiest path. For growth and wealth to occur in any fashion requires effort and the ability to be persistent in the face of adversity. Humanity biologically didn't get here today because it decided to lay down and take it from Nature.

As for Ann's comment, I agree with her. We have on the flipside of those people who revel in the victim mentality. It almost seems to be encouraged in our society from the top to the bottom. Part of it stems from the ability to empathize with people who have faltered. But instead of providing the tools to allow people to continue on, we seem to let people wallow in their problems. Maybe it has a bit of voyueristic vulturism to it in our tell-all culture.

Keep up the good work Tim.

[Tim (of liveyourbestlife)]

Richard - Howz it going bro? Thanks for stopping in. I appreciate the comments and the feedback.

[Carmi]

Hi Tim. I dropped by from Michele's today, and I've gotta say I'm so glad I did. Your philosophy is so true, and the world would be a better place if more people took the reins and didn't count on mere luck.

I look forward to reading more of your work.

[Tim]

Carmi - I'm glad that you stopped by as well. Its important for people to realize that life is meant to be lived and not breezed through. This goes for matters of money and the times of joy.

[Jason Clegg]

The "lottery mentality" is especially daunting considering how often winning the lottery actually results in *negative* life chages.

I think you're right to point out that what's well earned will be well protected.

[Tim]

Jason - Thank you and I'm glad that you agree. You're right about the negative affect the lottery itself can have on someone that doesn't know what to expect from the responsibilities that come with the money.