Practice Makes Perfect

Expectation is one thing that all people have in their mind whenever they do anything. Sometimes they forget that the reality is not like that, as we all know, the feeling of achievement is fulfilled only occasionally. It needs time and effort to accomplish any kind of work. We may hear this phrase ‘practice makes perfect’. It is true, though, as illustrated by the story, Sharpening Skills:

Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job with a timber merchant, and he was given the job. His salary was really good and so were the working conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to fell the trees.

The first day, the woodcutter felled fifteen trees.

"Congratulations," the boss said, "Carry on with your work!"

Highly motivated by the words of his boss, the next day, the woodcutter tried harder but he could only bring ten trees. The third day he tried even harder, but was only able to bring seven trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.

"I must be losing my strength." The woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

"When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked.

"Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy with my work trying to cut trees…"

Moral: Most of us never update our skills. We assume that whatever we have learned is sufficient. But good is not good when better is expected. Honing our skills from time to time is the key to success.

It is a very motivating story, and another thing we should not forget when doing anything. We cannot succeed if we only use strength. We must use our wisdom as well, otherwise we are like the woodcutter who has been very busy trying to cut trees, but never sharpens his axe. Sharpen our wisdom by learning and practicing skills from time to time; ‘Being stronger and wiser’ is the key to success in everything we do.