SHARPEN YOUR AXE

Salam to alz!

Time really flies! We are now in the middle of August.  Have we accomplished what we have planned earlier this year? Personally, I have not.  Come to think of it, I didn't even realise so many days and months have passed this year. 


I would like to share this article that I read in the newspaper sometime ago.  It was about sharpen your axe.  There was a very strong and skilled Kayan woodcutter who asked for a job with a timber merchant.  He got the job and the pay was good.  The boss gave him an axe and determined to do his best, the woodcutter cut down 15 trees on his first day on the job.

Highly motivated, the woodcutter tried harder the next day but he cut down 13 trees.  Next day, he tried even harder but only chopped down 11 trees.  day after day he tried but he cut down fewer trees.  The woodcutter thought he must be losing his strength so he apologised to his boss claiming he could not understand why.

"When was the last time you sharpen your axe?" the boss asked.  "Sharpen my axe? I had no time to sharpen my axe.  I have been busy too busy cutting down trees," said the woodcutter.

He sharpened his axe and immediately was back to 15 trees a day.  Since then, he begins the day by sharpening his axe.

Most of us are too busy doing and trying to achieve, that we never take time to learn and grow.  We don't have the time or patience to update skills, knowledge and beliefs about our work or to take time to think and reflect.  Many of us assume that sharpening our axe is not a priority.

So, what exactly is sharpening the axe? Dr Steven Covey, who popularised the term, believes it means "increasing your personal production capacity by daily self care and self-maintenance."

Most people fail to understand what it means.  Some mistake it for taking a break or vacation.  Taking a break or a vacation is not sharpening your axe.  That is putting the axe down.  when you put down a dull blade and rest, the blade will still be dull when you pick it up.

Sharpening the axe is an activity.  There are many ways we can do to sharpen our job's axe.  Reading books, going for a course, study something new, asking for feedback, get a mentor or learn from people who inspire you.  You have to sharpen your axe as often as possible.  But if you are so busy and so focused on your job with no time for discussion or study, you are not really moving forward.

Much like the woodcutter, trying hard will not yield results. Our years of experience count for nothing if we did not upgrade ourselves.  Axe sharpening isn't as fun as whacking down trees.  It is a tedious work.  It is an inner battle.  Once your blades are sharpened, use them because sharpened blades will not produce results if you keep them in the cupboard.

So, how are your various blades doing?  Your skills, your knowledge, your mind, your physical body, your motivation, your commitment, your emotions - are all of them sharp?  If not, which ones are dull, and what can you do to sharpen them?  What are you doing to sharpen your axe?

Take a step back and start sharpening your axe. : )

NMN