SCRIPTURE: “A wise [man] will hear and increase learning – Proverbs 1:5
QUOTE: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln
NOTE:
One way to maximize the value of time is to invest in yourself. The best investment you can make is in yourself. Investing in yourself is the practice of making yourself into a more experienced, well-rounded person through different tasks, goals and activities. This may include reading more, creating a schedule for yourself or taking a class. If you invest in yourself, you will see improvements in your productivity and happiness. Investing in yourself is one of the best ways to invest your time.
The concept of “sharpening the saw” was popularized by Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Successful People. ‘Sharpening the saw’ is about regularly investing in the four basic dimensions of your life, namely: Investing in your body (the physical dimension), mind (mental dimension), heart (emotional dimension), and soul (spiritual dimension). Taking care of all four dimensions of your existence is about living a balanced life that brings the best long-term results. Always take enough time to invest in yourself.
ILLUSTRATION:
It was Abraham Lincoln who said “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.” Investing in yourself as a way of maximizing time can be likened to sharpening your knife before cutting a tree. It saves time to invest in yourself. Ecclesiastes 10:10 says “if the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.” It is wisdom to invest in yourself. The time spent investing in yourself through trainings, reading etc., is not wasted time but invested time
REFLECTION:
- Do you have a self-investment plan?
- Are you someone who is given to the idea of continual self-improvement?
TWO YEAR BIBLE READING: Genesis 18.1 – 5. Psalm 11