Comments on: Sharpen Your Axe: The Value of Preparation

By: Guy

Guy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:29:43 +0000

Is the quote about preparation (for this specific task) or about self improvement? Investing time in the important/not-urgent?
(I’m thinking Covey’s 7th habbit – sharpen the saw)

By: Rusty

Rusty — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:28:06 +0000

Another important piece of this great quote is to ignore/fire cynics like @sms here. They actively look for reasons to fail with no positive agenda.

By: sms

sms — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:47:23 +0000

I’d like to talk a little bit about the quote you lead off the article with.

If he said this, I’m not claiming he did or didn’t but others have but that’s not the point. Hes NOT talking about preparing hes talking about procrastinating.

Sharpen an axe for 4 hours? You would have no blade left. If the task takes 2 hours you think hes really saying you should take 4 in order to prepare? Why not go in unprepared double the time it’d take and do it in 4 hours total, therefore saving 2 hours?

By: dv

dv — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:59:21 +0000

Lincoln never said that.

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:00:03 +0000

Hi Wiwin,
Welcome! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think it’s unlikely – though it’s possible – that someone with bad attitude will do good preparation. Doing good preparation requires motivation and discipline, and both of them are part of good attitude.

By: wiwin widi astuti

wiwin widi astuti — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:09:49 +0000

Hi..K.Donald..
Vergest mich ?

I like ur article..
Everything will run well if we’ve prepared it before..coz we have target of it.. But be ready in all condition in the future is more important I think..( think fast – do fast )

Is it possible for person who have bad attitude in their daily life ( e.g lazy, jam karet , etc. ) to do a good preparation ?

Cheers,

By: AJ Kumar

AJ Kumar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:37:32 +0000

GREAT QUOTE…and makes perfect sense!!

By: Jack Zufelt

Jack Zufelt — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:44:19 +0000

Good post…I really enjoyed it. Bottom line is preparedness has a direct correlation to feeling in control and being empowered.

By: Sharpen Your Axe: The Value of Preparation « Change Starts With Me

Sharpen Your Axe: The Value of Preparation « Change Starts With Me — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:27:57 +0000

[...] http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2009/01/26/sharpen-axe-value-of-preparation/ [...]

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:16:05 +0000

Robert,
Gradual preparation is a good idea. It reminds me of a mantra in the open source world: “Release early, release often.”

Kristen,

the more time you give yourself to work on a project the longer you’ll stretch out the project.

It’s true. It’s called Parkinson law and it’s a fundamental principle for productivity. Over-preparation most likely happens because you give yourself too much time.

Robert Kintigh,
I feel the same myself :)

Cris,

Today, I never do the hard way, but I usually do the extra-ordinary way

I like it :) Working smart instead of working hard is something I should remind myself these days.

Kevin,
Letting go of the non-essential is not easy to do, especially if you have lived with it for years. But it’s important to get the most out of your limited resources.

Ryan,
I agree that being flexible is a way not to over-prepare. It’s also a way not to under-prepare. We should always adapt to the changing situation.