We played the lottery for 20 years and won twice for a total of $3.5 million–here's how

Diane and Kerry Carmichael persisted and bagged a second million-dollar jackpot - but it took 20 years to win $3.5 million.   Photo: Arizona Lottery

I had to work and research for years to achieve reliable lottery success, and I used goal-setting to get this.

But I wanted my players to win faster than Diane and Kerry Carmichael who took 20 years to win twice for a total of 3.5 million.

So can we set a goal for winning the lottery?

We can. Not by wishing or dreaming - though that sometimes works - but by improving your play strategy by following these 5 steps:

The Carmichaels won two Powerball jackpots totaling $3.5 million within 20 years, in 2013 and 1995   Photo: Arizona Lottery

A. Start By Having a Goal.

As lottery players, our obvious goal is to win the jackpot. That's what every lottery player aims for.

But it may not be your best idea. There are many jackpot sizes depending on the game you choose.

The chance of getting a main prize with its low win odds means that a lot of your success is still down to luck.

So that's why back in 1991 I decided to make the goals far more reasonable.

The answer was to aim for these many smaller goals instead of one giant one. Much easier.

No one can hit the main jackpot prize without luck   Photo: Stock

No one can hit the main jackpot prize without a lot of luck.

So I figured the next best idea is to go for smaller, multiple winnings, and that’s what I recommend.

B. Create Priorities.

Have a clear goal. There are always distractions to pull you away from the important jobs.

How did the Carmichaels get their double win?

Play consistently, without fail, never missing a game   Photo: Stock

Their goal was to buy tickets every week. In fact, they spent a massive $200 a week on lottery tickets and had done that since 1984.

They played consistently, without fail, never missing a game for 20 years.

That adds up to $10,000 every year – a total of over $200,000 on tickets.

So I make playing the lottery frequently my top priority... and everything else comes second.

It takes real guts to figure out what your priority is, and then work on it. You MUST get down to your local lotto shop and play your tickets on the days you've set.

So don't let anything come between you and your top priority of winning.

C. Take Action.

I could ramble on about this rule for hours. But the basics are simple.

Everything you do must be Action-related.

Feel like taking a nice half-hour break with a cup of coffee? Wait a minute - shouldn't you be finding out how to boost your success rate?

Don't you have to get down to the lotto store to play? 

Don't take it easy for too long.

TIP: Take massive action in everything you do!

D. Persistence Pays Off.

I can not tell you how much persistence works well if you make it a priority.

I hate unfinished jobs, so when something attracts my attention and needs to be done, I set to and finish it. Persistence is the secret I use to finish it off.

The Carmichael had a strong belief that they will win again, even after the second win.

"It's persistence," confirmed Diane Carmichael in an interview.

The lottery is the same. It's easy to give up in the first few weeks when you don't seem to be making progress, but keep persisting, it will get you through.

Make your own luck by taking action. Don't think on it - move ahead   Photo: Stock

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E. Do-It-Now.

Don't put anything off. If you need to fill out your tickets, then push your chair away from your computer now and fill them out.

If you don't overthink any task, you can get things done very quickly. Don't think about what steps you need to take, what tools you should use, or what actions would conflict with what timetable - just get started.

Do-It-Now has been the most powerful influence in my life.

And the best thing is that it gives you a terrific feeling of accomplishment. There is nothing hanging over you. Your life becomes easier and more relaxed.

Whatever you choose to do... Do It Now!

Remember:

  1. Goals

  2. Priority

  3. Action

  4. Persistence

  5. Do-It-Now