You Don’t Have to Be the Favorite to Win: A Financial Lesson from March Madness

April 7th, 2026

March Madness is one of my favorite times of year.

I’ll admit — I don’t watch basketball throughout the rest of the year. I’m one of those people who tunes in for the big moments: playoffs, the Super Bowl, the World Cup, the Olympics.

Not because I don’t love sports, but because my time is focused elsewhere.

Between running a business, raising a family, and pouring into my own growth, I’ve had to make decisions about what matters most in this season of my life.

But March Madness?

That’s different.

The Upset We All Love

What I love most about March Madness is the upset.

Every year, a lower-seeded team — one that no one expected to win — steps onto the court and takes down a powerhouse.

A favorite.A giant.A team everyone assumed would win.

And somehow, they don’t.

Because in those moments, something becomes very clear:

👉 Heart can outperform talent.👉 Discipline can outperform reputation.👉 Belief can outperform expectations.

The Real Difference: They Showed Up

Here’s what stands out to me the most.

Those teams didn’t stay on the sidelines.

They didn’t say:“We’re not good enough.”“We don’t have the resources.”“We don’t have the recognition.”

They showed up anyway.

They got in the game.

And that decision alone gave them a chance to win.

The Financial Parallel

The same principle applies when it comes to changing your financial story.

Where you start does not determine where you finish.

Growing up with less…Making financial mistakes…Not having access to certain opportunities…

Those things may define your starting point.

But they do not define your outcome.

Yet many people never give themselves the chance to find out.

Sitting on the Bleachers

Instead of stepping into the game, we sit on the sidelines.

We watch others:

• invest

• build wealth

• start businesses

• change their financial trajectory

And we tell ourselves:“I’ll start later.”“I need more time.”“I need to be more ready.”

But the truth is:

👉 You don’t need perfect conditions to begin.👉 You need the willingness to start.

The Hard Question

Have you ever asked yourself:

Why haven’t I gone further?Why haven’t I reached the goals I set?

And more importantly:

👉 What role did I play in that?

Not as blame — but as awareness.

Because awareness is where change begins.

Choosing What Matters

As much as I love sports, I’ve had to make decisions in this season of my life.

When I was younger, I would stay up watching NBA games with my mom. Those are memories I still cherish.

But today looks different.

Now I’m building something.

I’m focused on:

• my family

• my business

• my growth

So I watch the big moments — like March Madness — and let the rest go.

Because every “yes” requires a “no.”

The Money Lesson

You don’t have to be the favorite to win financially.

You don’t need:

• the perfect background

• the highest income

• or the best starting position

👉 But you do need to get in the game.

You need to:

• make decisions

• stay consistent

• believe your situation can change

  
  

Because the biggest risk isn’t losing.

👉 The biggest risk is never trying.

Final Thought

Every March, we watch underdogs win.

Not because they were expected to…But because they showed up and played.

The question is:

👉 Are you in the game… or still watching from the sidelines?

About the Author

Petra-Ann Brown is a financial educator, coach, and founder of Brown Financial Solutions. A 100 Women of Color honoree, she helps busy professionals and families build financial clarity, confidence, and intentional money habits so their finances support the life they’re building, not control it. She also hosts the Island Money 365 podcast.