Finding money in a coat pocket considered life's greatest small victory, study finds

Finding cash on the floor, your car passing its MOT, and being upgraded to first class also made the list

(iStock/ Yuri_Arcurs )

Life's greatest small victory is finding cash in a long-unworn coat pocket, a new survey has found.

Other mood-boosting wins appearing in a new list included receiving an unexpected discount at the checkouts and spotting loose change on the street.

A delivery arriving on time is also ranks compliment from a stranger and arriving at the bus stop just as one pulls in are also considered some of the mundane but rewarding little victories we experience in day-to-day life.

Greg Tatton-Brown from online casino Casumo.com, which commissioned the study, said: “There’s something completely untainted about finding an extra fiver in a coat you haven’t worn in a long time, and it feels right that the experience was named the ultimate little victory in life.

“In fact, any opportunity where our finances receive an unexpected boost, however minor, appears to be a key factor in brightening up our day when we need it.”

The study also found 24 per cent of people allow themselves a moment of celebration when a social event they were dreading gets cancelled.

And one in 10 are quietly impressed when they insert a USB stick the correct way around – first time.

Despite their abundance and simplicity, the average Briton reckons they get just three little victories a week, which is a shame because nine in 10 say even a tiny one-up puts them in a good mood.

And while a little win only gives us a happy glow for 20 minutes on average, the study also revealed many Brits are in need of a happiness top-up.

The study, conducted by OnePoll, asked how often we feel happy on a daily basis, and it emerged the average Brit can only maintain a positive outlook for about six hours each day.

Forty-seven per cent would describe themselves as a predominantly positive person, but one in 10 say they live in a constant ‘glass half full’ state.

And 74 per cent think a little win has the power to rescue a bad day from disaster and give them a sunnier perspective on things.

A quarter of people think they are most likely to encounter a win at home, and only 5 per cent of workers think they are most likely to score a little victory at work.

One in five are also guilty of writing a smug post on social media to publicly share their little win, no matter how small.

Thirty-seven per cent get a little boost hearing about other people’s victories, and 48 per cent say they do their best each day to make sure people they know get the little wins they need.

Mr Tatton-Brown added: “They are innocuous in most cases, and often barely worth bringing up in conversation, but there is still a small and personal joy in getting a little win when things might not be going your way.

“Whether it’s spotting a lucky penny on the ground, landing a lucky win on an online game, or even swinging your car into a parking space flawlessly, life is full of little victories.

“The boost we receive to our mood, and the effect an unexpected victory can have on our day at large, is worth celebrating, and we would encourage Brits to keep an eye out for these fun moments of success.”

Top 50 best 'little victories'

1. Finding money in a coat pocket

2. .Something you were planning on buying anyway being reduced in price

3. Getting an unexpected discount on an item when you reach the checkout

4. Finding money on the floor

5. Getting good weather for a special event

6. A delivery expected between 8am and 5pm comes at 8.01am

7. Not needing any work done at the dentist

8. When you get an unexpected tax rebate

9. Turning up at a full car park for someone to leave so you get a space

10. Car passing MOT first time

11. Being upgraded to first class

12. Getting in a queue at the front just before loads of other people join the queue

13. Someone leaving a table in a busy pub just as you arrive

14. Getting home just as the postman was about to leave a ‘Sorry we missed you’ card

15. Finding a parking space right outside the shop you want go in

16. It starting to rain just as you walk in the door / bring the washing in

17. Getting to the bus stop just as it arrives

18. A social event you really can’t be bothered with getting cancelled

19. When the vending machine gives you two chocolate bars instead of one

20. Hitting all the green lights on the way into work

21. Getting the last of something on offer in a supermarket

22. Waking up in the night and realising you still have hours left in bed before you have to get up

23. Parking perfectly first time

24. Getting a compliment from a stranger

25. Getting a whole aisle on a plane to yourself

26. Getting to the station just as the train pulls up

27. Finding the last dress or piece of clothing in your size on the rack

28. Waking up and realising it’s a Saturday and you don’t have to go to work

29. When a bet comes in

30. Having the exact change you need to pay for something

31. Your phone reaching 100 per cent charge just as you need to go out

32. Getting back to your car just as the parking ticket is about to run out or go up to the next price bracket

33. Unexpectedly seeing a friend when you’re out and about

34. Your phone battery lasting just long enough to send an important email/make a vital call

35. When you birthday falls on a Saturday

36. Finding change in your car to pay for parking

37. Getting the duvet cover over the duvet properly first time

38. Buttered toast landing butter-side-up

39. Filling up your petrol and getting smack bang on the pound

40. Getting to work from home when it’s snowed

41. Putting in a USB the right way round first time

42. When your favourite song comes on when you’re out

43. Having enough milk for one last cup of tea

44. Spotting a taxi the second you decide you need one

45. Getting to work late – and your boss hasn’t arrived yet either

46. Packing a car and getting it all packed in just right

47. Someone pulling over and offering you a lift when you’re on a bus stop

48. Getting the right key for the door first time

49. Catching yourself before you ‘reply all’ on an email you only wanted to send to one person

50. Lending someone your car and they fill it up with petrol

SWNS