I dabble in contests. I'll enter text-to-win contests, social media giveaways, and other similar ways to win. There is little or no risk in it because I'm offering my email or phone number, not the soul of my firstborn. I don't gamble. That is not a lifestyle I wish to afford. Sometimes I win a prize. I can be the winner of gift cards, promotional items, and even meet-and-greets with people who are more well-known than me. I've met Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber (nice guy, smells awesome) and then-White Sox pitcher Chris Sale (also a nice guy, taller than my husband, another great-smelling guy).
I have scent issues, but that is for a post for another day.
They may call it a grand prize or first prize, and then someone will look at it like, "That's it?" So some of the promotional prizes are less than "grand". It annoys the pessimists who see these winnings in their half-empty glasses. The optimists are a little too perky with statements like, "Well, it's a win!" While the glass is half-full, it is not something that changes my world.
I don't enter contests with the full intention to win the grand prize of an all-expense paid trip to the Super Bowl, $100,000 to remodel my home, or the chance to spend five minutes with a megastar backstage at a major event. Yes, they can be nice, but I'm not in it for that. I'm in it for the small wins.
When I was researching this idea of small wins, I came across an article in the Harvard Business Review from 2011 titled The Power of Small Wins. Mind you, "Harvard" and "Business" are not two keywords that I look for in my reading material, but the article was actually interesting when it comes to motivation in your work. There is a whole psychology about bosses and managers keeping their teams engaged in their tasks. Making progress can make a difference in the workplace, even if it is a "small win".
As a college student, I was looking for ways to get my name out in the world. A byline in a magazine or poetry journal was the only way that I knew how. Submitting my poetry was like gambling - I was taking a huge chance that I could be accepted and published, or I could go down in flames for reasons of "not what we are looking for" or "we are not accepting at this time". However, every time that I could publish something, it was a small win for me. My name was out there, I was sharing a piece of my imagination and experience with readers. If I got paid, it was small, but it was still a win.
Each "win" in writing has been a stepping stone. It is work experience and publications on my curricula vitae. It is also my motivation to keep going and keep trying. These milestones are the encouragement I need to keep setting my goals for something more while I am still finding joy in them. This kind of happiness was not as frequent in my other jobs in life. While I had my wins and can see the results in my former students, the gratification does not feel the same.
So I will keep entering contests (maybe even start one of my own) and get my fix on small wins there. I'll also be working on my small wins in writing. Once I finish my landmark series for Smart Kidz Club, I'm thinking about another series with Patriot the tour guide eagle. Maybe I'll step away from books and find my riches in other forms of writing. If I am happy, then I am winning.
Contest prizes big or small,
try as we may, we can't win them all;
but when the win is what you do,
it is always a big deal to you.
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