Game, Set & Down 20 Bucks

As always, if you missed last weeks Le Love Letter, its now on the website. Last week I shared my thoughts on the business industry. Feel free to forward this article to friends or colleagues if you like.

For this week I’m taking you to the casino.

Dear Younger Self,

Let me set the scene.

You’re standing in a casino for the first time. The lights are flashing, the air is thick with noise. Machines chime, chips clink, voices rise and fall with every win and loss. You’re not here to gamble, not really. You’re just observing, taking it all in. And as you do, something clicks. None of this is accidental. The way the room is laid out, the way the machines are positioned, the way the energy shifts to keep people hooked. It’s all designed to make sure you stay, spend, and come back for more.

This isn’t about gambling itself. It’s about something much bigger. The way the world is designed to make you feel, react, and spend, often without you even realising it.

You started with a loophole. Credit cards can’t be used for online gambling in Australia, but in person? Different story. And that got you thinking. If a system can be built to guide how you gamble, what else is designed to influence your behaviour?

Look around.

Pokies aren’t just placed randomly in a venue. They’re positioned with intent. The lights, the sounds, the placement of machines in dark corners or open spaces. The casino floor is a maze with no clocks, no windows, just endless opportunity wrapped in distraction. It’s psychology at play, carefully crafted to keep you there, to keep you playing.

But it doesn’t stop at casinos. Once you see it, you start to notice it everywhere. Supermarkets place essentials at the back so you have to walk past tempting impulse buys. Websites nudge you towards purchases with subtle colours, countdown timers, and “only a few left” messages. Even social media. Notifications, infinite scrolling, dopamine hits with every like and share. It’s all designed to pull you in, to keep you engaged, to make you feel like you need just a little bit more.

The trick isn’t avoiding it all. That’s impossible.

The trick is knowing the game is happening in the first place. Because life, in so many ways, is a game. A series of tests, plays, and choices. And when you see the patterns, when you recognise that your brain’s chemical reactions are being used against you, you take back control.

Money, habits, decisions, distractions. They all follow the same rule. The more aware you are, the less power they have over you. And simply knowing that will save you from more problems than you think.

Love,

Le Hare

Take Notes

• The first step is awareness. The most powerful people in the room aren’t always the loudest. They are the ones who sit, listen, and observe. But there’s more to it than just listening. They understand where each person is coming from, recognising different perspectives and points of view. True awareness isn’t just about hearing; it’s about seeing the bigger picture.

• I took a solo trip to the beach last week. It wasn’t planned, but I ended up walking along the shore for twenty minutes. Two thoughts ran through my mind. First, it’s f*cking hot. And second, people will give you advice throughout your life, but the truth is, they’re figuring things out for the first time too. When someone hands you their version of an instruction manual, remember that it’s only one path to a particular outcome. There are countless ways to navigate life, each leading to different destinations. What works for one person isn’t the only way; just one way.

On The Roster

What I’m Reading At The Moment: Like a Virgin By Richard Branson

I started reading this book, huge fan of the introduction ‘The simple fact is that formal education and I were never really meant for each other.’ I very much resonate with this.

It is labelled as a business book, but even if you have no plans to start a business, it is still worth the read. It’s about mindset. Branson shares stories of risk-taking, problem-solving, and challenging the norm, all with his signature rebellious energy.

A Funny Post:

Asides from the humour aspect, we really are all just students of life.

A New Design/Designer Of I Found:

Simone Bonanni - SB005 WEED’D 2024 

I’m no stoner but this collaboration is incredibly satisfying to look at, and when I have a place to store such pieces (and the extra cash), I will be investing.

Quote Of The Week:

Reflective Prompt

Which parts of my identity feel solid right now, and where might I still be missing chances to learn and grow?

A: Ooof, I’m a bit stumped by this question, but I’ll answer based on how I’m feeling right now. I’ve always struggled with solidifying an identity, but I know I’ve changed, and I believe it’s been for the better. To be honest, I don’t think identity can ever be fully “solid” because we’re constantly shaped by our surroundings, and this crazy world keeps shifting. With so much information out there, it feels nearly impossible to stay the same. Rather than any fixed parts, I see myself rolling in a direction that feels right, hoping I can leave this world feeling happy in the end.

Your Turn.