The Handkerchief Lesson

I was 8 or 9 years old, riding along in the car with my dad. He would often give me “spelling challenges” for fun. One in particular stands out:

• Dad: How do you spell ‘hand’?
• Me: That one’s easy! H-A-N-D!
• Dad: Great. Now, how do you spell ‘chief’?

A little harder…but I give it my best shot…

• Me: C…H…I??…E….F
• Dad: Good. Okay. Now, how do you spell ‘handkerchief’?
• Me: I have no idea….
• Dad: Let’s break it down and build on what you already know….

Not only did I learn how to spell handkerchief that day, but I never forgot how to spell it ever again.

I often think back on this when facing a tough challenge: break it down and build upon what you already know to be true. It’s practical for isolated issues and supports compound growth when applied more broadly.

Simplify, Build, Master, Repeat.

This is one of the many things I’ve learned from my dad!