Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;What are you doing?&rdquo; you ask.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you see?&rdquo; comes the impatient reply. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sawing down this tree.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;You look exhausted!&rdquo; you exclaim. &ldquo;How long have you been at it?&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Over five hours,&rdquo; he returns, &ldquo;and I&rsquo;m beat! This is hard work.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &lsquo;Well, why don&rsquo;t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?&rdquo; you inquire. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure it would go a lot faster.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have time to sharpen the saw,&rdquo; the man says emphatically. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m too busy sawing!&rdquo;
Stephen R. Covey