Sharpen your axe

Once upon a time, a well-built woodcutter asked for a job in a timber depot, and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work.

The first day, the woodcutter brought down 18 trees.

“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!”

Very motivated by the boss’ words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring down 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only cut 10 trees. Day after day the numbers came down.

“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologised, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.

“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”

By Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen Richards Covey (1932-2012) was an American educator, author, businessman and keynote speaker. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey’s best-known book, has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide since its first publication in 1989. Covey argues against what he calls “The Personality Ethic”, something he sees as prevalent in many modern self-help books. He promotes what he labels “The Character Ethic”: aligning one’s values with so-called “universal and timeless” principles.

Image: The third in the Canadian folklore series of postage stamps, issued on Sept. 8, 1992, focussed on Canadian heroes whose feats have taken on legendary proportions. Born in Montreal on Oct. 25, 1802, Jos Montferrand became a voyageur, lumberjack and a strong man of legendary proportion. His father taught him foot fighting and boxing and at 6’4″, he was a powerful teenager. At 21 he went to work as a voyageur for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Four years later he became a logger and raftsman on the Ottawa River. Stories of his prowess and strength spread far and wide. It is said that he left his boot prints on tavern ceilings by performing incredible somersaults. Fact or fiction, his feats have been sung, written and told by many Canadians. Image courtesy https://postagestampguide.com/