The dream of winning the lottery is a universal fantasy. It represents freedom, luxury, and a life unburdened by financial constraints. For decades, the only strategy seemed to be buying a ticket and relying on blind luck. But what if there was a method to the madness? What if you could align your energy with the outcome you desire?
This isn't a new-age pipe dream. It's the proven legacy of Helene Hadsell, a woman who didn't just win a single lottery jackpot but mastered the art of winning itself, securing over 5,000 prizes in her lifetime—from cars and cruises to cash and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
In this deep dive, we will explore Helene Hadsell's specific methodology, moving beyond generic Law of Attraction advice into a tactical, real-world system. We'll augment her timeless wisdom with insights from Carolyn Wilman, the "Contest Queen" chosen by Hadsell to carry on her legacy, from an exclusive interview on the Luxury Unplugged podcast.
Debunking the Myth: It’s Not About the Lottery
Before we delve into the "how," a crucial distinction must be made, one that Carolyn Wilman clarified in her interview. The traditional lottery involves paying money for a minuscule chance at a prize. The odds are astronomically against you.
What Helene Hadsell mastered, and what Carolyn Wilman teaches, is winning sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways. The key legal and strategic difference? The "consideration" is removed.
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Lottery: You pay for a chance (slim odds).
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Sweepstakes/Giveaways: You enter for free (significantly better odds).
As Wilman explains, the lingo changes—"Sweepstakes" in the US, "Contests" in Canada and India, "Competitions" in the UK—but the core principle remains: everybody likes to win something.
This shift in focus from the nearly impossible (the lottery) to the highly probable (sweepstakes) is the first critical step in your winning journey. You're not trying to bend cosmic luck; you're using a proven strategy to win in a game with far better odds, where the principles of the Law of Attraction can be directly and effectively applied.
The Woman Who Won Everything: The Helene Hadsell Story
Helene Hadsell wasn't a psychic or a mystic; she was a pragmatic woman who discovered a universal principle and applied it with relentless consistency. Her journey began in the mid-20th century, and over decades, she amassed a staggering collection of prizes, documented in her book, The Name It & Claim It Game.
But her story isn't just about the accumulation of stuff. It's about what these wins represent: a profound understanding of how to align with abundance. Hadsell wasn't desperate; she was deliberate. She didn't hope; she knew.
Her legacy is now carefully maintained by Carolyn Wilman, who was personally selected by Hadsell. Wilman recounts that after having Hadsell on her podcast in 2008, she asked to visit her. Hadsell initially said no, but called back days later, stating, "Your guides are so loud, you better come." Wilman spent four days with her, during which Hadsell entrusted her with the mission to teach her methods, recognizing in Wilman a shared understanding of both spirituality and entrepreneurial action.
The Generic LOA Formula vs. The Hadsell-Wilman Method
Most blogs on "Winning the Lottery with the Law of Attraction" offer a vague, three-step process:
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Ask the Universe: State what you want.
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Believe You Will Receive It: Have faith.
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Receive It: Be open to the outcome.
While not incorrect, this model is often where people fail. The "Believe" step is too nebulous. How do you truly believe something you don't yet have? This is where hope fizzles and doubt creeps in.
Helene Hadsell’s framework, as carried forward by Carolyn Wilman, breaks down that critical middle part into an actionable, tangible process. Her famous "Spec It, Select It, Project It, Expect It, Collect It" method is a masterclass in applied psychology and spirituality.
Let's compare the generic advice with the advanced, detailed methodology from the Hadsell-Wilman lineage.
Step 1: Getting Specific (Beyond "Asking")
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Generic LOA Advice: "Ask the universe for abundance." or "Visualize winning the lottery."
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Hadsell-Wilman Method (Spec It & Select It): This is a two-part process of precise definition.
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Spec It: Identify your desire.
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Select It: Be hyper-specific. Hadsell used 3x5 cards with one-word goals like "Microwave," "Hawaii," "$10,000," "Car." Carolyn Wilman emphasizes this point with a powerful analogy: "Don't just say 'I want more money.' Say 'I want $10,000 by December.'" If you ask for "more money," the universe might send you a quarter. Be precise.
Why this is superior: Vague desires yield vague results. The universe, and your own subconscious mind, respond to clarity. A specific target allows your reticular activating system (RAS)—the brain's filtering tool—to lock onto relevant opportunities. As Wilman says, "I can spot the word 'win' at 100 paces," because her mind is trained to look for it. You start to see opportunities everywhere that you would have otherwise missed.
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Step 2: The Power of Mental Imagery (Beyond "Visualization")
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Generic LOA Advice: "Visualize your goal."
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Hadsell-Wilman Method (Project It): This goes beyond passive visualization to active projection. Hadsell used vision boards, journals, and her 3x5 cards. She would mentally "project" the image of her desired outcome into her future, making it a tangible reality in her mind's eye.
Carolyn Wilman's powerful testimonial from recording the audiobook for Hadsell’s work exemplifies this. She read a story aloud about a woman manifesting a free cruise to the Bahamas. By verbally projecting that story into the world, she activated the principle. Just weeks later, while assisting a Silva Method course, she received a text from a friend offering a free cruise—with a stop in the Bahamas—under circumstances nearly identical to the story.
"I read it out loud on a Wednesday, and by Saturday, I was going on a free cruise," Wilman shares. "Six weeks later I'm in the Bahamas." This is "Project It" in its most potent form: speaking your reality into existence.
Why this is superior: "Project It" implies an active, energetic force. It's not just seeing; it's emitting and declaring. This is a crucial step in impressing the desire upon the subconscious mind and broadcasting your intent to the universe.
Step 3: The Missing Link - Cultivating Knowing (Beyond "Belief")
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Generic LOA Advice: "Believe it is yours." or "Have faith."
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Hadsell-Wilman Method (Expect It): This is the magic, often-missed step. Hadsell and Wilman draw a critical distinction between desire and knowing. "Expect It" is not hopeful wanting; it's a deep, somatic certainty.
Wilman explains that "Expect It" is felt not in the head, but in the solar plexus—the gut. It's the feeling you get when you have an intuitive hit and you know something is true, beyond all logic and reason. This is where practices like the Silva Method, which Hadsell used extensively, come into play. Through meditation, you access deeper brainwave states (Alpha and Theta) where this feeling of knowing can be cultivated and anchored.
Wilman states the core nugget of winning: "You have to think like a winner and feel like a winner before you are a winner. If you don't think you're going to win, then you're not... You manifest what you get."
She illustrates this with a story about a fellow sweepstakes expert who dismisses "manifesting" but explains his success by saying he focuses on what he wants and knows he will get it. Wilman laughs, "That is what manifesting is." He lives in the vibration of knowing.
Why this is superior: "Belief" can be intellectual and fragile, easily shattered by external circumstances. "Knowing" is unshakable and cellular. It's the difference between "I hope I win that car" and "The car is already mine, I'm just waiting for the delivery." This shift in vibration is what makes you a true energetic match for your desire.
Step 4: Taking Inspired Action (The "Collect It" Phase)
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Generic LOA Advice: "Be ready to receive."
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Hadsell-Wilman Method (Collect It): This involves both the final reception of the prize and the necessary physical action. For Hadsell, this meant actually entering the sweepstakes. For you, it means taking the aligned steps toward your goal. The universe cannot deliver a prize you never enter to win.
Wilman provides incredibly practical advice for this phase, demystifying the process for newcomers:
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Use Aggregator Sites: Save time by using sweepstakes aggregate sites (like SweepSheet, Contest Queen, etc.) instead of hunting randomly across the internet.
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Dedicate Time Efficiently: Dispel the myth that winners spend all day entering. "Most big winners spend about an hour a day," Wilman confirms.
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Start with Single-Entry Giveaways: These offer even odds and are "one and done," reducing the time commitment and building confidence.
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Create a System: "Set up an email address just for entering," Wilman advises. This keeps your hobby organized and your primary inbox clean.
Why this is superior: The generic model often neglects action, leading to "spiritual bypassing"—the hope that thinking alone will manifest results. The Hadsell-Wilman method demands aligned action. The universe rewards movement. You can't "Collect It" if you never enter the game. This step grounds the spiritual process in physical reality.
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The Mindset of a Winner: Beyond Technique
The method is the framework, but the mindset is the fuel. Carolyn Wilman's insights reveal the underlying attitudes shared by all consistent winners.
You Must Feel Deserving
A block that many people face is a subconscious feeling of unworthiness. If you don't feel you deserve abundance, you will subconsciously sabotage your efforts. Winning requires a deep-seated sense of self-worth and the belief that you are worthy of good things.
There is No Failure, Only Results
Helene Hadsell famously said, "There is no failure, just results." This is a profound reframe. A non-win is not a failure; it's simply a result that provides feedback. It doesn't mean the system is broken; it means you must persist, refine your focus, or strengthen your "Expect It" muscle. This mindset removes the emotional sting from setbacks and allows you to continue playing the game.
The Power of Community
Wilman is a passionate advocate for the sweepstakes community. "It's the funnest community; I'm just saying, I'm a little biased," she jokes. She attends an annual convention where winners gather to learn, share tips, and celebrate. "All boats rise with the tide," she says, highlighting the collaborative, not competitive, spirit. This sense of belonging and shared purpose reinforces the "vibration of winning" and provides a support system that keeps you motivated.
From Winning Prizes to Winning Customers: The Viral Marketing Link
A unique and advanced insight from the Luxury Unplugged interview is how Hadsell's principles directly apply to viral content marketing and business growth. Carolyn Wilman, as a sweepstakes marketer, lives this connection daily.
1. The Power of Storytelling
Hadsell was a master storyteller. She didn't just teach abstract principles; she wrapped them in engaging, relatable stories of her wins. Wilman notes, "If you watch the videos that go viral the most, there's always a story behind them." Your brand's authentic story is your greatest asset. A genuine, behind-the-scenes video filmed on a phone can often outperform a polished, soulless ad. People connect with narrative, not just information.
2. Giveaways as a Strategic Tool, Not an Afterthought
Many businesses see giveaways as a costly expense or a sporadic tactic. Wilman, from her marketing company Idea Majesty, completely debunks this.
A giveaway can be incredibly inexpensive and highly strategic. Her advice for small businesses:
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A hairdresser can give away a monthly haircut.
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A restaurant can offer a free lunch.
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You can run a simple Instagram giveaway with a random comment picker.
The cost is minimal, but the engagement, email list growth, and goodwill are massive. The key is to integrate giveaways into your broader marketing plan, alongside educational and nurturing content. "Don't randomly just do one because everyone else is doing one," Wilman cautions.
3. The "Personal Touch" for Virality
Wilman's success in marketing giveaways for companies doesn't come from just posting on social media and hoping it goes viral. It comes from community and personal connection.
She has built personal relationships with sweepstakes site owners worldwide. A personal message from her gets a new giveaway immediate traction and visibility. For marketers, this translates to building a community—through Facebook Groups, WhatsApp communities, or industry networks—where your content is welcomed and shared because of genuine connection, not just algorithmic luck.
4. Be Unapologetically You
In both winning and marketing, authenticity is your currency. Wilman advises, "You have to be unapologetically you." The unique energy you exude is what will capture people. You don't need a professional studio; you need a genuine message. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," she says, emphasizing that consistent, authentic action beats viral fame every time when it comes to building a loyal audience.
Practical Steps to Begin Your Winning Streak (A Summary)
For the Aspiring Prize Winner:
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Shift Your Focus: Move from the impossible lottery to the probable world of sweepstakes and contests.
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Apply the 5-Step Method: Use the "Spec It, Select It, Project It, Expect It, Collect It" framework for every prize you desire.
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Use Tools Wisely: Leverage sweepstakes aggregate sites to save time. Dedicate a specific email address for entries.
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Start Small and Smart: Begin with single-entry giveaways to build confidence and understand the flow.
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Cultivate the Vibration: Spend time each day in meditation or using the Silva Method to strengthen your "Expect It" muscle. Feel the joy and certainty of winning now.
For the Marketer and Entrepreneur:
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Tell Your Story: Use the "Project It" principle in your content. Be the hero of your brand's narrative and share it authentically.
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Strategize Giveaways: Integrate low-cost, high-value giveaways into your marketing calendar as a strategic tool for growth, not a one-off stunt.
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Build Community: Use the "Personal Touch" principle. Engage personally with your audience and peers. Create spaces for real connection.
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Live in the Vibration of Success: Before your business hits its big goal, operate from the energy of already having achieved it. Make decisions from a place of abundance, not scarcity.
Conclusion: Winning is a Vibration You Can Cultivate
Winning the traditional lottery may always be a game of desperate chance. But "winning" in life, in business, and in the abundant world of sweepstakes is a game of focused energy. It's a skill that can be learned, honed, and mastered.
Helene Hadsell's legacy, as carried by Carolyn Wilman, teaches us that ease comes from alignment. The struggle dissipates when you stop pushing against the current and start flowing with the universal laws of attraction.
The question isn't, "How easy is winning the lottery?" The real, more powerful question is, "How easily can you align your mindset and strategy to attract what you desire?"
When you Spec It (define your goal with crystal clarity), Project It (create a vivid mental and emotional blueprint), and most importantly, Expect It (live in the unwavering vibration of already having it), you will inevitably Collect It. The method is proven. The path is clear.
You just have to know you're going to win.