The recent Mega Millions jackpot was the second largest in history, which caused a lot of excitement.
Disclaimer: Whether you should participate or not isn’t up to me, that’s up to you. My only caution is that you use money that can be given out without a return. The same goes for other forms of gambling, crypto, and even lending money to family and friends. If you can’t afford to lose it, don’t give it.
Back to the Mega Millions.
I like to watch the interactions when events like this happen – what the news outlets write about, and how people on social media talk about it. Essentially, what are the reactions and responses from the community?
The underlying tone is usually the same: how would my life change if I won that money?
The truth is that, whether you win or lose, your reactions to money are already impacting your finances and ability to build massive wealth.
For example:
MINDSET: How you think and plan about money will determine your outcomes. Don’t believe massive wealth is possible without some random act outside of your control (i.e. winning the lottery) to get you there? Then you will subconsciously avoid or sabotage the opportunities that could help you build wealth. Holding onto the belief that money is evil or rich people are all jerks? Even if you win big money (or stumble into it), you’ll spend and give that money away until you’re back in a financial situation that feels comfortable and aligned to your mindset. Unwilling to set and keep to a plan right now? Then don’t expect more money to solve your problems. Instead, your spending will simply increase to match your budget. This is how people get better and better jobs and yet still end up feeling broke.
TRAUMA: Money is a mirror reflecting back not just your mindset, but any emotional wounds you have around how cash comes into and leaves your life and what all that says about you. More money simply means a bigger mirror, which will bring new and different problems. It will highlight those areas in your life that haven’t been healed. How do you feel about yourself when your bank account looks good? How do you feel about yourself when it doesn’t? How do you feel about you when surrounded by people with money and then people without? Now magnify that by 100… by a million. It’s going to point out to us the emotional scars that we have.
CULTURE: We all have stories within our families, religions, and communities about wealth – outside voices that influence our thoughts and behaviors, even if we disagree. These narratives are the foundation of our mindset and linked to our traumas. It’s the “truth” given to us by our families and communities. So what “truth” are you living right now? How is it determining what you’re allowed to have in this moment vs. waiting to win the lottery?
In the end, whether you win or lose is only a matter of perspective. Figure out what thoughts, feelings and emotions are pushing you to take action or not take action. As you do that, you empower yourself to heal the old wounds and break free of culture.
Then, when the money starts rolling in, you’ll be ready to not only receive it but multiply it.
