The guy who sold me my hot lottery ticket for a $252 Mega Millions pot asked if I’ll quit my job if I win the lottery. But before I could answer, the guy standing next to me said “Oh no! Never quit your job! A job keeps you from spending too much time thinking about your everyday problems.”
Such an interesting thing to say. And a different perspective from the comments I get on this blog. For most readers, jobs seem to be a major source of their everyday problems. Ideally, giving that up is the stuff lottery dreams are made of!
Is not working really a great thing?
I’ve had times in my life where I didn’t have a job. And, to be honest, although I love my days off more than I could ever express, when I wasn’t working at all I actually missed the challenge — and regular social interaction. And I got cranky. Plus there’s just something about getting that paycheck.
I’ve seen stories about people who win the lottery and then stay in their jobs anyway. Even if it isn’t a job you and I might call a dream job. Would that be you? Guessing there are a lot of people saying NO WAY!!
As for me, if you ask whether I’d quit my job — as wonderful as my current boss is (especially if he’s reading this) — I would most definitely quit my job. It’s been great having an extremely flexible part-time consulting gig and working with nice people. But since I’m thinking it may be time for a career change anyway, a spare 50 mill or so would be most welcome.
What I’d do if I win the lottery
So let’s see … what if I did win $100 million, give or take, after taxes? It’s fun to play with lottery dreams (also career dreams) as a spur-of-the-moment free-writing exercise and see what pops out. Here I go, just putting what pops up on the page…
First I’d set aside about $10 million just for me, so I’d never have to work again unless I wanted to. Then I would probably volunteer my time offering free individual coaching and/or business consulting to companies doing work I believe in.
And I would take limos everywhere (or hire my own driver) without even thinking twice about the cost. It would be so nice not to have to deal with public transit delays or ever worry about maintaining (or parking) a car again!
Letting the dreams fly now
I might also go back and do a little acting again or maybe even help manage a theater. Oh why stop there??? I could build my own small neighborhood theater!!! (Another few million for start-up costs and sustained operating capital should do nicely. It is small, after all.)
My theater would have plays and readings (sometimes by me) and art from local artists on the wall. And original music and classes and workshops and opportunities for people to hang out and express themselves creatively through all kinds of art. (Wheeee! This is fun.)
Plus of course, I would visit friends all over the country – and elsewhere.
Then I’d put another $50 million or so into a foundation I’d create to donate money to organizations I think are doing a great job. Without them ever having to apply. Just a surprise donation. More fun!
The rest I’d divide among friends and family and maybe invest in an environmental project or two I believe in. Oh yeah … and while I’m thinking about it, I’d use some of my original pot of money to buy myself a nice QUIET 2-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. That’s the main thing I really want.
Not bad for some random lottery dreams, huh? Hmmm … maybe I better go out and buy myself another lottery ticket right now. And yes I know the odds stink. 🙂
So what if YOU win the lottery?
Whether career dreaming or lottery dreaming, it’s great to give yourself permission to think without self-censorship. You never know what might pop into your head!
News flash!!
Well, I did NOT win the giant lottery yesterday.
But it’s ok … I still have my fun dreams.
(And there’s always another ticket.)
[Article updated in 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To the Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.
Some articles you may like:
How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!
7 Reasons People Don’t Enjoy Volunteering (& Ways To Help)
Career Success? All I Do Is Work!
Why Are You So Afraid To Ask for a Raise?
How I Negotiated a Four-Day Work Week
What Makes a Job Good?
The Non-Linear Path to Happiness at Work
What’s Your Relationship With Money?
What If You Never Find Your Dream Job?
How To Make Friends With Your Money
7 Reasons We Stay In Bad Jobs
Why Are You So Afraid To Retire?
6 Healthy Things You Can Do At Work (In a Few Minutes)
Dreaming of a New Job Where the Grass Is Greener?
Sometimes You Just Have To Breathe Out
Neck Hurts? Hunched Over Your Computer? Posture Up!
How To Take a Nature Break at Your Desk
Dolce Far Niente (Sweet To Do Nothing) … at Work?
How To Earn Extra Money Freelancing
⇒ EXTRA: Want To Career Coach Yourself? How To Get You Started
What a caring and thoughtful comment, Sandra.
Thanks for adding to the conversation!
Honestly? There are so many people who need jobs today – it would be very selfish to take away a chance for someone to earn money to support a family if I didn’t need it. Rather, I would find a cause that I believed in and felt passionate about and would pursue that. Perhaps I start a business or I volunteer for a worthy charity – either of those two options would free up a job for someone who needs it and keep me satisfied emotionally.
Hi Marsha!
Thanks for the comment. Fear not. I don’t see any way to connect the dots from the one comment that you might want to keep private. And if a supervisor is reading this blog, most likely it’s because they too are looking for a new job or at least some answers! As long as you keep it anonymous and fairly civil, there are a lot of places on the internet to share your thoughts. At least in my experience.
One more thought (of mine)…most people I know have found ways to be themselves most of the time. If you really feel you can’t be yourself (say in your job), that might be a great reason to start looking for places where you can be yourself. Maybe there are things you want to be and do that you haven’t even let yourself explore. If so…I hope you do. Then again, maybe not. Just a thought that popped up that I dared to share. 😉
Ronnie Ann
Oh…btw. I removed the link you left since it seems to be a place of business and that could be incriminating for you. I try to do that to protect my readers. 🙂
Isn’t anyone afraid their supervisors might be reading this? There seems to be no place a person can be themselves anymore.