The Woodsman’s Mistake

Here is a story teaching a very important lesson for all of us. As far as I can recall, the story is in the book “THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE” by Stephen R Covey. Here is the story in my own words with a bit of artistic license.

There was once a woodsman who lived in a small village surrounded by a thick forest. He made a living sawing up logs and selling the pieces as firewood.

One morning the woodsman was sawing a large pile of logs when a passerby stopped and said: “Wow, that is a huge pile of logs. It will take you ages to saw it all up into firewood.”

“Yes”, said the sweating woodsman, wiping his brow. “The problem is my saw is very blunt.”

Trying to be as diplomatic as possible the passerby said: “In the village there is a person who sharpens saws. Why don’t you get your saw sharpened? Then, you will be able to saw much more quickly.”

The panting woodsman replied: “I just don’t have the time!”

Wow!

The lesson? Obvious, isn’t it? When faced with a task we must take the time to make sure we have the right tools. This not only refers to physical tools like pliers and screwdrivers. It includes mental tools. It might mean attending training courses like learning how to type faster or invest wisely.”

Whatever the challenge you are facing, don’t make the woodsman’s mistake!

Attribution: Possibly “THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE” by Stephen R Covey. Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/43uiih0
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Attribution: Possibly “THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE” by Stephen R Covey. Buy it here. Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/43uiih0

Affiliate means I get commission, but you don’t pay a cent more!