actualizethegenius

Here’s an old story that comes from an often used quote:

“If I had four hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first two hours sharpening the axe.”  ~ Unknown

It was that time of the year when farmers prepare for winter by storing hay and chopping firewood. Every day when Gordon was leaving for the market he noticed all of his neighbors were busy chopping wood.

Farmer Bill was always the first person in the morning to start chopping wood and always the last person to stop. Of course it was obvious that first the pile of wood that he chopped was much more than any of his neighbors. But day after day Gordon noticed that Bill’s pile was diminishing while the rest were catching up with him and some exceeding him.

Very curious about the fact Bill was still the hardest working farmer, yet not achieving his earlier result, he decided to go and check with Bill. He drove down the driveway and stopped to watch Bill working non stop and dripping sweat. He noticed something peculiar. So Gordon asked Bill, “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?”  Without a pause in what he was doing and slightly agitated with any small talk, Bill responded, “I don’t have time to do that. Can’t you see all of the work I still have to do?”

I am always stunned by people not taking the time to sharpen their skills and improve their performance in actions that they do on a daily basis. And most of the time the reason is ‘I don’t have the time.”

Whether it is the practice of meditation or learning skills of negotiation, your efficiency and productivity will increase in everything that you do. It ultimately saves you time and you will be working smarter.

If you want to invest in yourself for 2016, sign up for my January 28th Training in La Jolla, CA and visit my website www.enlightenednegotiation.com to find out more!