#184

I was stuck for ideas for a secret Santa gift.

What could I get for $10 that was either funny, meaningful, useful or relevant - maybe I was overthinking it!

I chose 10 x $1 lottery tickets.

After all, who knows, maybe they’d get lucky and share their winnings with everyone.

Every week people’s lives are changed when they win the lottery (sometimes for the worse according to the research).

And whilst the vast majority don’t win it got me thinking about how they could win.

When we buy a lottery ticket we buy some sort of hope.

Some sort of hope of a better future.

With each ticket we buy we’re spending a little and hoping for a lot.

But here’s the reminder: life mostly doesn’t work like a lottery... a little investment hoping for a huge return.

Yet, so often, we approach our life as if it does.

Of course, this isn’t about the lottery, or occasionally buying a little bit of hope, but the mindset we slip into far too easily.

We put in minimal effort, yet we expect maximum results.

We want six-pack abs without changing our diet.

We want fulfilling relationships without putting in the time and vulnerability required.

We want promotions at work while staying comfortably within our current skill set.

Partly, it’s not our fault because we’re influenced by the culture we live in.

We’re bombarded with insta-stories of overnight success, six-figure salaries from a side hustle, and fitness transformations in 30 days.

These stories create a dangerous illusion: the belief that massive results should come from minimal input.

But what those stories often skip is the hard work, discipline, and resilience behind the scenes.

It’s human nature, too. We’re wired to seek maximum reward for minimum effort.

Evolutionarily, this made sense: conserve energy while finding ways to survive.

But in a world of ambitious goals and immediate gratification, this formula can sabotage us.

The good news? We can change.

Instead of falling into the lottery mentality, we can adopt a mindset of small, consistent, effort—the kind that, over time, matches the results we want.

1. Commit to a ‘forever’ mentality

Imagine you were taking actions that required a ‘forever’ commitment. You had to complete the actions ‘forever’. Maybe you’d take smaller actions to begin with.

2. Adopt a 10% Better mindset

Instead of expecting massive leaps, aim for small, consistent improvements. Want to get fitter? Start with a 10-minute walk. Want to grow in your career? Spend 10 minutes a day developing a new skill. These small actions compound over time.

3. Balance action for others and ourselves

There’s an energy to hope that can be a good thing. Hope alone isn’t enough. When we act, it’s worth considering: are we taking steps that benefit others as much as ourselves? Small actions for others—a kind word, a helping hand, or sharing knowledge—create ripples far beyond what we see.

4. Celebrate the winning streak, not the results

Small daily actions not only create a compound effect on results but also a compound effect on motivation.

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Cheers

Pete