Once open a time there was a man working feverishly sawing down a tree. Another man passing by asked:
“What are you doing – you look exhausted”
“I’ve been at this five hours and I’m really wrecked” replied the man who was sawing the tree.
“Why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen the saw” he was asked.
And so the man who was sawing replied “I can’t – I can’t – I’m too busy –
I don’t have time to sharpen the saw – I’m too busy sawing”
I read this years ago and it struck a chord with me. Imagine the saw was your body and you didn’t take the time to look after it. Well it’s going to get fairly worn out, isn’t it? Recognising that your physical, mental, and social well-being are all part of you is really important.
Sometimes you just have to look after what matters most:
Taking care of you is just as important (if not more important) as getting in more business or getting that “urgent” job done. Imagine for a moment a saw that is blunt. It can’t do good work.
You have to sharpen the saw! You have to have time for renewal.
Your brain won’t cope effectively if you don’t put the right fuel in. Imagine how a saw would look if it was just used from one end of the day to the next until eventually it was blunt, rusty and of no use. Nobody bothered to take the time to sharpen the saw.
Now taking the time to sharpen the saw would make all the difference. Taking that little time to begin to realise that looking after the tools are essential. The tools being you, your body and your mind. That’s what will make all the difference. Yet, all too often, we rush around expecting our body and brain to perform to a high level without stopping to even eat properly.
Exercise is something we know is important but we don’t make time for it. You will cope more effectively with stress management if you exercise. A good exercise programme is one that you can do in your own home. One that will build your body in three areas: endurance, flexibility and strength. Whether that is aerobics, push-ups or something else. Walking is a wonderful way to keep fit. I’m talking about 30 minutes three times a week.
Take time to renew YOU:
You can’t keep burning the midnight oil. Something has to give. Stop looking at telly and get to bed early(ish)! Listen to music or read that book you want to.
Begin to realise that sharpening the saw is equally if not more important as keeping your business going. We all have a need for all other aspects of life. Commit to looking after your mind and body. It will keep you sharp, focused, and smart.
What happens if the saw breaks? Is it really worth the risk?
Sharpen your saw!