Did you ever hear about the lumberjack contest? Two lumberjacks – one young and eager, the other older, reserved and more experienced. Their task? Chop down trees. Most trees felled wins.
The younger started with a frenzy. No breaks. Just chop, chop, chop. The elder, he'd chop for an hour, then rest for ten minutes. Surely he'd lose, right?
By day's end, the elder had more trees down. The young one was baffled. "How did you beat me? You took breaks!" The elder replied, "Every time I sat, I sharpened my axe."
Most of us claim, "I'm the hardest worker in the room."
But are you really?
Sitting 10 hours at a desk doesn't equal productivity. Sure, you’re busy. Checking emails. Scrolling LinkedIn. A quick peek at that YouTube tutorial. But are you truly productive?
Take a moment. Ask yourself: Am I really working or just 'axe-dulling' activities?
Contrarian Insight: Busy doesn’t mean effective.
Work done doesn't equate to value produced. Hours logged doesn't reflect real impact made.
Ernest Hemingway was once asked about his writing routine. "I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write."
No distractions. Just pure, undiluted focus.
Your challenge isn't the hours you put in. It's what you put into those hours.
If you chase two rabbits, you'll lose them both.
So, what's the trick?
Track your tasks. Analyze where the hours go.
Prioritize. Tackle the big fish. First.
Eliminate distractions. That means mute. Airplane mode. Do not disturb.
And most importantly, take breaks to sharpen your axe.
You'll be amazed. Not just by what you achieve. But by the time you reclaim.
Remember, it's not about clocking in and out. It's about making every second count.
