The Jackpot

By Jesse Atwell

“You gotta be in it to win it.”

They’ve lied to you.

They’ve told you:

• sooner or later, somebody will win the jackpot.
• sooner or later, your hard work will pay off.
• sooner or later, you will get your money back and then some.
• sooner or later, the housing market will turn.
• sooner or later, your friends and family will understand your sacrifice.
• sooner or later, something will stick.
• sooner or later, your college debt will be paid off.
• sooner or later, it will all be worth it.
• sooner or later, the spotlight will be on you.

Of course none of this is guaranteed to work. Not only is it not guaranteed to work, but the status quo has built a system that optimizes your investment and minimizes your return.

They want you to wait your turn. They want you to sit this one out. They want you watching the fight from the sidelines while continuing to invest in the system they’ve built.

Put in a dollar in the machine and get back a dime.

The house always wins.

Sooner or later might never come. You can bet on it.

There is no special jackpot at the end.

If you’re in it, you’re already winning it.

The audience pays to watch the fight. But the talent gets to throw punches for free.