So far, we’ve talked about how to solve complex business problems by:

• Shifting your intention from “knowing” to “learning.”
• Spending more time exploring and reframing the problem.
• Creating prototypes and placing purposeful bets to test your ideas.

More than likely, many of your ideas for solutions will hit dead ends. They may look good on paper, but just won’t get much traction when you put them out into the world.

All except one (or maybe even a few).

It could be the first solution you think of, or the one that pops into your head when you least expect it, or even the one that feels like a complete long shot.

Whatever the case, hopefully one of your ideas will show some real promise.

That’s when you double down.

You increase your investment (time, energy, focus, money) into the solutions that will have the best odds of success based on actual results.

Here’s a few things to keep in mind when doubling down on your winning ideas:

• “Higher probability” is not the same as “guarantee.” You’re not necessarily going all in at this point. You’re just increasing the size of your bets as you continue to test, learn, and improve on your most promising ideas.
• Increasing your investment includes dedicating more time and effort, not just spending more money. Some of your most insightful real-world tests could also be the least expensive to run.
• Don’t get emotionally attached to any one idea, even the ones that seem like clear winners. The more attached you are to a solution, the harder it will be to recognize opportunities to improve upon it, or to see alternative paths to your ultimate goal.

What will you do today to start investing more resources into your best performing ideas?

Will you set aside some of your time, energy, and money so that you can double down on the winners?