We were making new ones the second year. We were in syndication

"We were making new ones the second year. We were in syndication the second year. So we were on Saturday nights, prime time, every morning, and then they put it on Sunday evenings too. So it was all over the place." — Gavin MacLeod. These words from MacLeod evoke a powerful truth about growth, opportunity, and the unexpected expansion that comes with success. What began as a simple show, confined to a particular time and space, blossomed into something far greater—a force that transcended expectations and found itself embedded in the fabric of daily life. In the second year, the show, like a seed that had been planted in fertile soil, began to spread its branches, reaching audiences at all hours, on multiple days. The show’s expansion is a testament to the power of persistence, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—for when one door opens, the possibilities that follow can be limitless.

In the ancient world, growth and adaptation were not foreign concepts. The great philosopher Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, taught that human beings flourish through habit and repetition—that it is not through sudden bursts of success, but through steady progress and consistent effort, that we grow. Just as the seed grows into the mighty oak, so too does an endeavor—be it a show, a business, or a life—expand through constant dedication. MacLeod’s words mirror this ancient truth: what began as a singular, contained event (a single airing) grew, over time, into something that was woven into the daily rhythms of life, saturating the airwaves and becoming a part of the cultural fabric.

The example of Alexander the Great further illuminates this principle. Alexander, with his ambitious conquests, began with a single victory, but as he moved forward, his reach expanded. By the time he was finished, his empire stretched from the shores of Greece to the heart of India, shaping the world in ways that were unimaginable at the outset. His conquests did not happen overnight—they were the result of a series of strategic decisions, one battle leading to the next. Similarly, MacLeod’s quote speaks to the idea of expanding upon what has already been accomplished. Success, whether in media or life, is not a singular event; it is the sum of many decisions and actions, building upon what has come before.

The idea of syndication, the spread of something across multiple platforms, is also reflective of a key aspect of ancient wisdom—the idea of sharing knowledge and culture far and wide. In ancient Greece, the Sophists were wandering teachers who spread their knowledge from city to city, shaping the way entire populations thought and acted. In the same way, MacLeod’s show spread from a specific time slot to saturate prime time, becoming a constant presence in the homes of millions. The show’s expansion wasn’t just about commercial success, but about becoming ingrained in the daily lives of people, giving them something familiar and comforting that could be counted on, much like the wandering teachers of ancient times who spread wisdom across lands and generations.

This expansion of influence is a reminder of the nature of success. Often, success begins small, a single idea or a single step, and grows through dedication and focus. It is easy to become disheartened when our efforts don’t immediately yield the desired results, but true growth comes from building upon what already exists, reaching out from our original starting point, and finding new ways to connect and serve. MacLeod’s experience speaks not just to the entertainment industry, but to the very nature of human ambition—no matter what field we work in, the real key to expansion is adaptability and the willingness to take risks. The willingness to let go of the confines of a single time slot, and let the work find its audience where it may.

The lesson here is that growth is never a straight line. Whether in our careers, relationships, or personal endeavors, we must be open to the idea of expansion, of moving beyond what we initially thought was possible. Like the show that goes from weekend evenings to daily broadcasts, we too must allow our goals to unfold in unexpected ways. The key is to continue moving forward, to be adaptable and open to the possibilities that arise, and to never lose sight of the fact that success is built on the foundation of consistent effort and the courage to seize opportunity when it presents itself.

So, let us take MacLeod’s words to heart. Whatever we are working on—whether it is a passion project, a new job, or a long-term goal—let us remember that growth takes time. We may start with a single step, a single effort, but if we stay true to our vision and remain open to new avenues, the possibilities for success and impact are limitless. Let the expansion of a simple idea into a widespread force be a reminder that, through patience, consistency, and adaptability, we too can make our mark in ways we never thought possible.