is the 6th of twelve articles for light holiday reading in my 2020 series of Tom's Summer Shorts. The tales are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.
My home town football team had qualified for their first cup final appearance in many years. On the day of the 'big match', I excitedly headed for the stadium. En route I stopped at a pub for one or three pre-game beers and struck up a conversation with some fans of the opposing team. In the course of the light hearted banter between us it emerged that these fellows had all placed bets on 'my team' to win. Puzzled, I asked, “Why?” Their revelation would prove to be, quite literally, life changing.
“Easy,” I was told, “Of course we want our boys to win, that will make us very happy. But, if your team should happen to win, then we can drown our sorrows off our winning bets. Either way we win!”
Such simple logic! On the one hand they'd win emotionally, on the other they'd gain financially. A true win-win situation. Why didn't I think of that?
Well, after that I did think about it - a lot - and, in the interim, I have put the strategy into practice regularly. The result being that sometimes I've enjoyed the emotional euphoria of 'my favourites' winning, while on other occasions the pain of their defeat has been assuaged by a compensatory pay out from my 'friendly neighbourhood bookmaker'! Win- win indeed. So much so in fact that I soon took to wondering how I might be able to apply the same principle to life generally and to my business endeavours in particular? More so, how might I ensure that I won on both counts, emotionally and financially? - yes, I wanted it all ways!
The solutions I came up with (there are several) are, of course, remarkably simple. Key to them all is … first and foremost in life, set out to help people, be it in small or in meaningful ways. Always do that and you'll always be emotionally satisfied. With that requirement established there only remains the, “How to ensure financial gain while doing it?” question.
Well, when you help people, be it personally or in a business context, many will instinctively want to help you. They'll want to return the kindness showed to them. Some will offer you gifts; accept graciously. Others will inquire as to what you do in life, how you earn your living. Only reveal that when asked. Then, when your goods or services are ones that they want and can afford, you'll be able to assist them further and enjoy personal gain too by supplying their needs. Even if you are not a provider of what they ask for, know someone who is and who will pay you a commission. Or source what they want anyway. It's extra earning for you and might turn out to be the gateway to a new enterprise. Either way, the recipient of your original kindness will want to deal with you and will be happy to have you benefit from their purchase.
When you employ the 'help others' strategy in this way, you experience both emotional and financial gain. You eliminate all risk from the 'bet'. There is no reckless risk, there is not even calculated risk. There is only what I call 'controlled non-risk'. You set up and control the situation, therefore you ensure the outcome. It's guaranteed win-win.
It may only have been a football match, only a few beers and a laugh. But the lesson I learned that cup final day far surpassed the pleasure of winning. Yes, 'my' team did win the cup – great joy. But the opposition fans won too. They collected on their winning bets. I have much to thank them for. They showed me how to create and control win-win situations. They were smart fellows!
I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal.
My latest novel is 'Too Early For A Glass Of Wine?' Claim your copy by clicking on the image below.
BET ON LIFE AND WIN EVERY TIME is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this Summer Short and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.
Comments