Most of my articles are written to inspire and pump you up, but I feel it would be insincere on my part, if I did not also address the down side of sweepstaking. There may be days, weeks or months, when you don't win a thing and that can be very discouraging.

You contemplate all of the time you have invested filling out 3x5 index cards, addressing envelopes and entering forms online and you might begin to wonder if it is all worthwhile. The coupons for chicken dinners or the too small t-shirt you won, don't really stack up to the visions you have in your head, of winning that $10,000 cash prize or shiny red automobile.

It can even be more discouraging if you are part of a sweepstaking group or network, because you hear or read about all the great prizes others have won. I'm sure the same scenario goes through your head, as it does everyone's. You begin to question yourself. Your thought patterns run to, maybe I should have sent in more entries, if only I had entered a few more times online or, they always win and I never do. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

You are having a bit of a sweepstaker meltdown and that's okay. You have put a lot of effort into your entries and it is normal to want to be rewarded for all of your endeavors. But when you find that your hobby is no longer fun, then you should step back and focus on something else. Take a break from sweepstaking for a while. Think back on the contests you have won, remember why you started this terrific hobby, or use the down time to devise a new strategy.

Trust me, you will not miss the "big one," while you are away for a short time. If you are a die-hard sweepstaker, you'll be back again with a vengeance, and that's a good thing.

Attitude goes a long way in this hobby, so put a smile on your face, congratulate others that have won and believe that you are just one entry away from winning. And when all else fails, grab a pint of double fudge ice cream and reward yourself. Chocolate makes everything better!

To find out more about Editor and Author Sandy Lovern, please visit www.engaged-devotional.com and www.sweepstakessuccess.com