Double

How long would it take you to double a dollar?

It’s not as easy as it sounds. To really “double” a dollar, you have to make $2 by using nothing but the original dollar. You can’t just reach into your wallet and pull out a second bill; that’s cheating. You can’t even drive anywhere – that’s using resources beyond the original dollar, like your car and gas, etc.

And you can’t just sell something you already own, either. If you start with nothing but the clothes on your back and a dollar, you don’t really win the challenge if you end the day with two dollars but no shoes. Now, if you manage to sell your shoes for $30, and then find an identical pair that you can buy from somewhere else for $29, you’ve won. You ended the day as you started it, except with an extra dollar.

When you think about it that way, it’s more of a challenge. But you could do it. I believe in you.

My oldest daughter recently asked me for help with some task that she was more than capable of completing on her own. In very typical-dad fashion, I admonished her for relying on me when she was more than able on her own, but the off-the-cuff comment I made stuck with me. I rather liked it, so here’s what I said to her:

“You have brains, eyes, hands and feet, and those are the only tools you need to solve every problem.” (And truth be told, you only really need #1 on that list – plenty of people have solved plenty of problems without one or more of the other three.)

So I believe you can double your dollar – you have brains. You might even have other assets. Once you double your dollar, you can do it again. And again.

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s more complicated than this. It’s not. I believe in you.