It’s hard to make wood with a dull saw

Linda LaitalaBusiness, ManagementLeave a Comment

My father is an active, energetic 87 year old. One of the things he’s always done and still enjoys is “making wood”. He burns wood for heat and he sells a few cords as well. Dad has always taken good care of his saws. The blades on his chainsaws (he has five in all) get sharpened and oiled regularly. I can still hear him say, “It’s hard to make wood with a dull saw.”

  I thought of Dad’s words last week as I attended a three-day Energy Issue Summit in St. Cloud. Thought leaders from across the country shared their knowledge on topics from solar, wind and renewables to politics and our ability to shape energy policy. The energy (pun intended) in the room was palpable as people leaned into discussions and peppered the speakers with questions. I left the event invigorated and excited about all I had learned; I couldn’t wait to get home and share.

When’s the last time you felt like that?

In the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey describes sharpening the saw as “preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have–you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.”

What do you do to stay fresh?

What do you do to increase your capacity to produce and handle the challenges around you?

“Without renewal the body becomes weak, the mind mechanical, the emotions raw, the spirit insensitive and the person selfish.”

Do yourself a favor – think about what renews you, energizes you and makes you feel good about yourself – then resolve to do more of it.

 

“Of those who say nothing, few are silent.” – Thomas Neill

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