WHAT TOOLS ARE YOU SHARPENING
On my way home from work, I observed a man with his green hellion jacket worn over his outfit. He held a cutlass and was obviously sharpening his work tool, he sharpened one but threw it away because he felt it was not fit for the job he needed it for and then he went in search of another tool that would effectively get the job done.
What was his work tool, you might ask? Well, the man was standing in the midst of a fallen tree and was sharpening a stick, which was his work tool. I guess you are wondering the job position he occupies, hmm! The man was looking for a perfect tool to thrash his uncooperative, supposed workers. I am sure you are still cracking your head and for those who already know, enjoy the Monday morning humor!
Yes, the man was an Agbero. For those of us who live in Nigeria, we know who they are, for others who do not know, kindly ask your Nigerian friends and you will get the full gist.
In the words of Abraham Lincoln “If I had six hours to chop a tree, I’d spend the first four hours sharpening the axe”
This leads me to the question of the day, what tools are you sharpening? How are your various tools doing? Do you know the tools you require to get the job/tasks done? Your skills, knowledge, mind, physical body, relationships, motivation, commitment to succeed, capacity for growth, emotions – are all of them still sharp? If not, which ones are dull, and what can you do to sharpen them.
I love this scripture, “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success”- Ecclesiastics 10:10 (NIV)
Sharpening your tools is what you must engage in daily. Here are a few examples:
1. Practice continuous learning and self-improvement
2. Engage in deep conversations with someone you respect and who inspires you, sharpen your tools through interaction
3. Get out of your comfort zone and head to stretch zone. Stretch yourself mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally
4. Conduct a self-audit, identify your blind spots, understand, acknowledge and address them which eventually leads to self-mastery
5. Read a book every day
6. Overcome a specific fear you have
7. Upscale yourself by advancing your skills, enroll for a course, study a book etc.
8. Get a Mentor and ask for constant feedback
You need to take the necessary time to create growth and change in your life. A small investment of time can have big rewards. Time spent to equip yourself can make a difference.
Take a step back and start sharpening your tools.
Writer: Olusola Amu