We’re all betting, but there’s more to winning.
You see, how we spend our time, energy, and money requires us to decide how we want to allocate them. How much time and money do you spend on this or that, invest in the stock market, get together or not, buy expensive clothes, or not are all investment decisions. They’re all bets.
Life is a bet.
But that’s not the problem, though. It’s that many of us don’t know how to bet well.
Some of you are conservative, others aggressive. Some of you play not to lose, others to win it all.
And, really, some make better bets than others. Some tend to win far more often.
And what makes the difference? That’s the question.
There are a lot of factors. But I think it boils down to one thing. It’s this.
Short-term thinking.
We think if we cut corners, or buy that shiny thing right now, or sell that stock to get the $1000 profit instead of waiting, we will be better off.
That’s why we buy fancy cars or too much house or refuse to save our money and invest because we’re too tempted by instant gratification.
But, all the while, we don’t realize that we are undercutting ourselves from getting the things we really want: respect, wealth, flourishing, wellness, etc.
See, all of those things take, well…time.
They are goals that take a lifetime of building, doing, working.
If you want healthy relationships, you need to cultivate them with truth-telling and integrity.
If you want wealth, you need to spend less than you make and save and invest your money.
If you want respect, you need to earn it one decision at a time and pay the same respect to others.
If you want wellness, you need to practice daily practices that make it so.
By betting well, you will increase life’s quality. You’re not just betting you’re life but how you will live, not just your livelihood but the quality of your life.
Making great bets take time to play out. They aren’t quick wins.
They’re long ones, even a lifetime. Knowing that will make the difference.
You’ll win more.
John Pa 