Why You Should Always Take a Shot at “Lottery Ticket” Opportunities

Investors sometimes talk about "lottery tickets." These are small investments that almost certainly won’t pay off, but cost practically nothing. However, if they do pay off, the reward can be huge. Because of that, they’re worth the tiny risk.

Case in point:

Last week, I received a letter (an advertisement, really) from a local car dealership. Inside was one of those scratch-off raffle tickets, claiming I could win either a discount on my next car or maybe even a brand-new TV.

I couldn’t resist. I scratched the ticket, fully expecting to see a typical “discount” offer. But to my surprise, I “won” a new TV. The only catch? I had to stop by the dealership and talk to their staff to claim my prize.

Now, normally I’d toss the ticket in the trash. But my brother is moving to a new house nearby, and I thought a brand-new TV would make a great housewarming gift. Plus, I pass the dealership often, so I figured, why not? It wouldn’t cost me anything to see if I really won the TV.

A few days later, while heading out to pick up dinner, I decided to swing by the dealership. As I waited in line, I noticed another guy holding the exact same ticket—I mean, the same "TV winner" ticket I had.

We looked at each other, glanced at the tickets, and then back at each other again. Without a word, we both burst out laughing. After that, we turned around and left. He went to get his groceries, and I went to grab my dinner.

I felt like a fool. And yes, Andrea laughed at me.

But here’s the thing—I confirmed my suspicion without losing any money. And hey, that TV would’ve been a cool gift if it were real.

What Does This Have to Do with Your Job Search?

The job world is full of "lottery ticket" opportunities like this. Every so often, someone might say, "Hey, you should connect with my friend John. Maybe he can help you out."

Now, reaching out to a stranger might feel awkward, and it may lead to nothing. You might even feel a little silly. But guess what? It costs nothing to investigate, and if it does pay off, it could be a game changer.

That’s why I say—go for it!

Even if it turns out to be a wild goose chase, you haven’t really lost anything. But if the opportunity is legitimate, you could land something amazing, like a new job, a valuable connection, or a fantastic opportunity.

So, keep your eyes open for these “lottery ticket” chances. They may seem like long shots, and sure, some will be too good to be true. But once in a while, they’ll be exactly what you needed at just the right time.

And when that happens, you win.