From 2005 - 2009, I found myself working 70+ hours a week just to stay afloat! There were actually weeks where I worked over 100 hours. I sacrificed a lot of things during those years (time with friends, exercising, relaxation, hobbies, etc.). You may be saying "What a work-a-holic!" Or, "That's insane!" I can't argue with you. It was insane and I was in the "work trap." While there were valid reasons as to why I worked so much, I wish I learned the principle of "Sharpening My Saw" sooner!
In another post I will explain why things were that way for those number of years, but for the sake of this post, I am going to focus on the message at hand! (Long in short, my Dad and I became business partners in 2005, got a loan to fund our company, my Dad ended up in the hospital with two emergency brain operations, he was incapacitated for 10 months and we were bleeding $15,000/month. Next thing I knew, I was 27 years old, in $500,000 of debt, working 100+ hours a week and sacrificing all the most important things in life.)
In another post I will explain why things were that way for those number of years, but for the sake of this post, I am going to focus on the message at hand! (Long in short, my Dad and I became business partners in 2005, got a loan to fund our company, my Dad ended up in the hospital with two emergency brain operations, he was incapacitated for 10 months and we were bleeding $15,000/month. Next thing I knew, I was 27 years old, in $500,000 of debt, working 100+ hours a week and sacrificing all the most important things in life.)
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!"
After reading Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" I began to understand the value of taking time to recharge your batteries. In fact, I've noticed in the past 3 years that the more time I take with family, friends, participating in enriching experiences, golfing, fishing, traveling and so on, the more work I get accomplished!
It's strange, but the things we think are going to "move the needle" so to speak (like working more) actually don't move the needle as much as other things (like spending time with family, friends and doing things you enjoy).
If you haven't read Stephen Covey's book yet, I suggest you buy a copy today and it will change your life! CLICK HERE to buy the book at Amazon!
It's strange, but the things we think are going to "move the needle" so to speak (like working more) actually don't move the needle as much as other things (like spending time with family, friends and doing things you enjoy).
If you haven't read Stephen Covey's book yet, I suggest you buy a copy today and it will change your life! CLICK HERE to buy the book at Amazon!
Habit 7: Sharpen Your Saw
Sharpen the Saw means 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.
As you renew yourself in each of the four areas, you create growth and change in your life. Sharpen the Saw keeps you fresh so you can continue to practice the other six habits. CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article
As you renew yourself in each of the four areas, you create growth and change in your life. Sharpen the Saw keeps you fresh so you can continue to practice the other six habits. CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article
One of my favorite stories about "Sharpening Your Saw"
Once upon a time a strong wood-cutter asked a timber merchant for a job. The timber merchant was happy to oblige. The pay was good and so were the work-conditions. Therefore, the wood-cutter was determined to do his best.
The timber merchant presented the wood-cutter with an axe and showed him where to work. The first day, the wood-cutter brought eighteen trees.
“Congratulations!” the boss said. “Go on working like that.”
Motivated by the boss’s words, the wood-cutter tried harder the next day, but he could cut down only fifteen trees.
The third day he tried even harder but cut down only ten trees. Day after day, he brought fewer and fewer trees.
“I must be losing my strength,” the wood-cutter thought. He went to the timber merchant and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your saw?” the timber merchant asked.
“Sharpened ? I have had no time to sharpen my saw. I have been busy trying to cut trees,” said the wood-cutter.
~~~Unsure of the origins of this story, but Stephen Covey tells of it quite often.
The timber merchant presented the wood-cutter with an axe and showed him where to work. The first day, the wood-cutter brought eighteen trees.
“Congratulations!” the boss said. “Go on working like that.”
Motivated by the boss’s words, the wood-cutter tried harder the next day, but he could cut down only fifteen trees.
The third day he tried even harder but cut down only ten trees. Day after day, he brought fewer and fewer trees.
“I must be losing my strength,” the wood-cutter thought. He went to the timber merchant and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your saw?” the timber merchant asked.
“Sharpened ? I have had no time to sharpen my saw. I have been busy trying to cut trees,” said the wood-cutter.
~~~Unsure of the origins of this story, but Stephen Covey tells of it quite often.
A little fishing yesterday...
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So yesterday, I took time to sharpen my saw and went fishing with a good buddy of mine Derek Gazel. Derek is also an entrepreneur and business owner (CEO of DG Dial and Founder of St. Joseph's Outreach) so he understands my life more than most of my other friends who have 9-5 jobs. We love talking about business, faith, fishing and so many other things. Derek is a blessing in my life and I truly admire his passion and work ethic, but most importantly his ability to prioritize and make room for fun activities!
I've known Derek since we were 10 years old but we reconnected about 5 years ago through St. Paul Inside the Walls, an Evangelization Center for the Catholic Church, in Madison, NJ with a huge focus on Young Adults, between the ages of 21 - 35. These people are "tweeners" and usually just out of college, not quite ready for Parish Life, and this group is seeking answers to important life questions (e.g. Why am I here? What's my purpose? Where is God in my life? What should I do with my life?)
So, to wrap it up, I encourage you to recharge your batteries and take time to build friendships with people that matter most to you or with someone who you would like to get to know better.
Your Homework Assignment Today: Call and invite someone to do something with you this week!
Have a great day!
Your Partner in Success,
Michael FitzPatrick
Ph: (862) 242-8787
Email: mrmichaelfitzpatrick@gmail.com
I've known Derek since we were 10 years old but we reconnected about 5 years ago through St. Paul Inside the Walls, an Evangelization Center for the Catholic Church, in Madison, NJ with a huge focus on Young Adults, between the ages of 21 - 35. These people are "tweeners" and usually just out of college, not quite ready for Parish Life, and this group is seeking answers to important life questions (e.g. Why am I here? What's my purpose? Where is God in my life? What should I do with my life?)
So, to wrap it up, I encourage you to recharge your batteries and take time to build friendships with people that matter most to you or with someone who you would like to get to know better.
Your Homework Assignment Today: Call and invite someone to do something with you this week!
Have a great day!
Your Partner in Success,
Michael FitzPatrick
Ph: (862) 242-8787
Email: mrmichaelfitzpatrick@gmail.com
