Motivation

In his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey tells the story of a woodcutter who took a new job for a timber merchant. The woodcutter was determined to do his best, so when the employer presented him with an axe he went straight to work. The first day the woodcutter brought 18 trees to the boss. “Congratulations,” the boss said. “Keep it up!” With this motivational encouragement the cutter went out the next day with even more determination. However, at the end of the day he could only bring back 15 trees. The third day he worked harder still, yet try as he might only 10 trees could be felled. So it went; each succeeding day yielded fewer trees. “I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He decided to approach his boss to apologize for his unexplained deteriorating output. “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked. The woodcutter stared dumbfounded. “Sharpen my axe! I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been too busy trying to cut trees!”

It is possible to be too busy to maintain your effectiveness. Whatever your personal situation, this might be the right time to ask yourself if it is time to “sharpen your axe.”

Cheers!!
Bragaadeesh.