There is an old saying, one that I imagine was coined by some Maverick somewhere in the dusty desert confines of Las Vegas, Nevada.

You Can’t Win With Scared Money

I believe I heard it for the first time in my 20’s when playing blackjack. The cosmic duel in blackjack…to hit, or stay? Double down, or simply take the next card. Those of you “blackjack experts” are probably already screaming at your screen saying it is simply a math problem, which it very much is.

But so is every game in Las Vegas and any casino around the world. How do you think the house gets an advantage?

So what happens when the cards fall in your favor? There is no time to be scared. The point is to act and act with conviction.

You Can’t Win with Scared Money

Now the responsible side of me will also tell you, you can’t eat with reckless money either. Blackjack is a game built on math, but also surrounded by chance. So is life.

The randomness of the next card coming out of a blackjack shoe is similar to what will happen tomorrow. Odds are you may know, but you may also be very surprised.

I could list many times in my life when I’ve tried to win with scared money. I’ve probably “lost” or been dead before I started due to tension, fear, or anxious feelings numerous time. These examples happened in sports growing up and in college, relationships throughout life, business scenarios, presentations and the list goes on.

Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out.

Fear is 100% dependent on state. I just wrote about this in my last post Red State vs. Blue State. Change your state, change your life. If I think about being in a “Blue State” I’m free, I’m quick, witty, ready to ad lib. I’m flowing, loose, and probably most important…confident.

You Can’t Win With Scared Money. I’ll also add,

You can’t be stopped when acting in positive state.

I am only 36, but I’ve already lived through numerous events where it was my turn to act…many times with the cards in my favor. Some I’ve connected on. Some larger than others. Some I let pass right on by…choosing inaction for the fear of action, and what consequences said action may hold.

In every such scenario, hindsight provides certainty and sometimes regret. I hate regret, but it’s a real thing.

ACTION ITEM: Instead of using regret to get demotivated and steal your momentum, try to use it for reflection. Why do you feel the way you do and what about this scenario is likely to happen again? When it does, grab it by the throat with some confidence and really GO FOR IT. What’s the worst that can happen?