Dull blades don’t cut. There is a story behind that. This is your daily message from Chad number 651 to remind you that the most important story you hear today is the one you tell yourself. And this message is dedicated to Cris Cavalleri.
Every year in Vermont, there was a tree felling contest. And every year, old man Charlie would come out the winner. The other contestants could never understand how he beat them. Old man Charlie would chop for about 30 minutes and then disappear for 30 minutes. He would chop for another 45 minutes and then disappear for 15 minutes. And this went on all day. He frustrated the younger, stronger guys who never stopped working. So one year, a couple fellas followed him and discovered what he was doing when he disappeared. He was sharpening his ax.
In the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the last habit is “Sharpening the Saw”, which is self-renewal. I understand why Covey, the 7 Habits author, presented self-renewal as the last habit, but in reality, it is first. If you are not working on yourself (reflection, getting filled, learning, filling your cup, maintaining your health physically, emotionally, and spiritually) eventually, you will not have an edge. A dull blade simply won’t cut as a sharp one. If you find yourself working harder and worn out but not seeing the results to show for it, maybe you’re chopping with a dull ax. Leading, loving, and serving with a dull ax isn’t a badge of honor. Prioritizing your well-being, mental health, self-care, and rest isn’t selfish—it’s essential. It’s what allows us to show up more fully in the spaces we navigate, bringing the energy and presence needed to create the transformational impact we’re meant to cultivate. It has the added bonus of making work easier, too. No one will renew you for you. What is your number one self-care habit? Are you consistently, routinely sharpening your saw?
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