Did you know Shark Tank is the perfect show to watch while hanging out with your mom in a memory care facility? It has really cool inventions, solid business advice, and 4-5 great stories every half hour. Like this one:
In 2015 two Army Rangers showed up to get a deal to help grow a business that supports women and children in war-torn countries. Their company, “Combat Flip-Flops,” employs local people in Columbia to make flip-flops from recycled military boots, sells sarongs made in Afghanistan to support a program sending girls to school, and in Laos makes jewelry from recycled land mines. Sounds good, right? But while the sharks loved the mission, most gave this advice: You have too many products. Double down and focus on just one of them and make your millions there. Then use that money to support the other causes. In other words, when we are being pulled in too many directions, it’s hard to experience amazing success. Better to pick just one thing and double down until it rocks. Then use the success from that to support other efforts.
Got me to thinkin’. Don’t a lot of us approach our Course practice like we are trying to build our own “Combat Flip-Flops” business? Let’s learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit! Let’s practice forgiving our brothers! Let’s work on forgiving ourselves! Let’s remember to repeat today’s idea four times an hour!
I’ll bet if Jesus were a “Shark” on Shark Tank, he’d say: “The strength to do comes from your own undivided will to do.” (CE.T.2.IX.9) And when, “… your will is split … your behavior inevitably becomes erratic.” (CE.T.2.IX.8) Maybe picking just one thing to focus on would bring us the break-through success we’re looking for.
So, I’m adding a new lesson: Double down on one thing and rock!