Where Are You Hanging Your Hat?

As I write this week’s blog, I am sitting in a café / food court area of a grocery store.  I enjoy people watching.  And, even more, I find people to be extremely inspiring as I write.

I am sitting among people eating their lunch, swinging business deals, and socializing.  Their conversations are fascinating.

But, within close proximity of where I am is a vending machine selling lottery tickets.  These scratch off tickets are priced from $1 to $20.  I am staring in disbelief as people franticly scratch on the cardboard ticket hoping to become the next millionaire.

The “scratchers” – judging by the way they dress are from a variety of incomes.

It is human nature for all of us to want to be winners at something. 

But, these “scratchers” want it the easy way.  They want success without paying the price.  Maybe that is why 80% of the people who hit the lottery for big money file for bankruptcy within 2 years of hitting it big. 

We can learn so much from these people.  There is a price to pay for success.  No matter whether we are talking about financial success, business success, entertainment success – you have to pay the price.  And, that price is paid over time, through experiences…..and through failing.

It makes me wonder – what are we hanging our hat on?  What are we investing our time and our money in to make our future brighter?

Are we investing in our minds and growing as a person?  Or, are we succumbing to a “voluntary government tax” where you hand the government money and they tell you whether or not you win or lose via a piece of card stock paper with alluring graphics?

That $20 for a scratch off ticket could buy a book – filled with wisdom of someone who was a success in a particular arena.  I selected the $20 ticket to use as an example here because that is the “sold out” slot in the lottery vending machine.

Investing in your own growth sweetens the pot for your own success.  Sure it takes longer – but it also lasts longer.

I have seen people at conferences balk at buying a speaker’s training materials – but think nothing of spending a similar amount on a fad or video game.

I have even had people tell me they would “never” spend that kind of money to hear a motivational speaker……yet they will (without batting an eye) spend money to go see their favorite sporting event.

Whether your team wins or loses has no outcome on your success or financial future.  BUT, that speaker may inspire them to stretch themselves and set new goals to attain.

So be careful where you hang your hat!

Hang your hat on a hook that positions you to succeed long term.  Hang your hat where the odds are in your favor rather than some long shot.  Hang your hat where you can grow to be a better you.

Have a great week

Ron

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