Internet Business and Life at ProcessToProfits

There’s a story that goes something like this:

A hiker encounters a man in the forest who’s furiously swinging his axe at a tree.

Whack! Whack! Whack!

The hiker observes for a minute and says: “Man, why don’t you stop for a moment to sharpen your axe? You’ll be happy you did when you’re able to chop more with less effort.”

To which the man replies: “No way, I can’t stop now, I need to chop as much as I can before it snows!”

Ever been in that man’s situation? I have.

Too busy chopping wood to sharpen the axe? Yeah right! Entrepreneurs, take notice…

I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

There are several lessons here, but the one I want to focus on today is about taking time to, as Stephen Covey says, “sharpen your saw.”

Regardless of what stage your business is at, both you and your business will benefit when you take some time off. This is especially true if you’re in the “start-up” stage, where it’s often the case the entrepreneur is wearing many hats. And it’s also important if you’re among the Internet marketers who spend all their time at their desks in front of their computers.

When you start a business, you have a responsibility to it. But you can’t give 100% all of the time. You need to schedule some time off on a regular basis to see the forest for the trees, to regain clarity, to renew, to relax.

Take an afternoon or a day off. Take a long weekend. Take more time if you can. (Many Microsoft employees have taken one-year sabbaticals). Spend your time off with family and friends. Get away from your desk. Surprisingly, when you get back, you’ll get more done, have more perspective, and work with greater purpose.

And James, when you read this, that’s why I propose you select me to join you on your cruise: because by sponsoring me, you are helping me focus and make course corrections, which ultimately will reduce the time it takes for me to help others get where they want to get faster.

Tags:   internet business · momentum · purpose · vacation