SHARPEN YOUR AXE

Sharpen Your Axe: A Lesson in Productivity

John had been a dedicated woodcutter for a company for five years, but despite his hard work, he had never received a raise. The company had recently hired Bill, a new woodcutter, and in less than a year, Bill received a raise. This upset John, who couldn't understand how someone so new could receive a raise so quickly, while he, with his years of experience, had not.

Feeling frustrated and resentful, John decided to go to his boss to discuss the matter. “I’ve been with this company for five years,” he began, “I work just as hard as anyone else, yet I’m still at the same position, with no increase in pay. How come Bill, who’s only been here a year, got a raise?”

The boss listened carefully, then replied, “John, you're still cutting the same number of trees as you were when you started five years ago. This company is focused on results, and we reward those who increase their productivity. If you can cut more trees, we’d be happy to give you a raise.”

John felt discouraged but decided to give it his all. He went back to the forest, determined to prove his worth. He worked harder than ever before, hitting the trees with all his strength and putting in longer hours. But no matter how hard he worked, his output remained the same. The number of trees he cut didn't increase, and his frustration grew.

Finally, after a few weeks of this exhausting effort, John returned to his boss. “I don’t understand,” he said, feeling defeated. “I’m working harder than ever, but I’m still not cutting more trees. What am I doing wrong?”

The boss thought for a moment before offering a suggestion. “Maybe you should talk to Bill. He seems to be cutting more trees, and there might be something he knows that you and I don’t.”

John was hesitant but decided to take his boss’s advice. He approached Bill and asked, “Hey, Bill, I’ve noticed you’ve been able to cut more trees than I have, and you got a raise in less time than I did. What’s your secret? How do you manage to get so much more done?”

Bill smiled and replied, “It’s actually pretty simple. After I cut each tree, I take a two-minute break to sharpen my axe. It helps me stay focused and keeps my tool in top condition, so I’m able to cut more efficiently. I don’t work harder, I just work smarter.”

John was amazed by this revelation. For years, he had been focused solely on putting in more hours and working harder, but he had overlooked the importance of maintaining his tools and giving himself a chance to recharge. By sharpening his axe, Bill wasn’t just cutting more trees — he was working with greater precision and energy.

Grateful for the advice, John decided to try Bill’s approach. He began taking short breaks to sharpen his axe after every tree he cut. Soon, he noticed a significant improvement in his productivity. Not only was he cutting more trees, but he was also feeling less fatigued and more focused throughout the day.

Over time, John’s performance improved so much that he too received a well-deserved raise. He realized that success wasn’t just about working harder, but also about working smarter, taking care of his tools, and knowing when to take a step back to recharge.

Moral of the story: Past glory and education don't count for much. We have to continuously sharpen your axe.