Use the Right Tool for the Job

Life Lesson #10: The Right Tool Makes All The Difference

Today’s life lesson was inspired by President Abraham Lincoln who once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

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Don’t Make the Same Mistakes I Did…

Using the right tool was a lesson that took me a while to learn. As I was growing up I tended to be one of those ‘just jump in and see what happens’ type of guys. So if I had something to build, I’d rarely read the directions and I tended to just use whatever tool was in my hand to see how it went. Most of the time it didn’t go very well and I got frustrated and gave up. Thankfully, as I got older and wiser, I learned the value of having the right tool – sure you can prune a tree with a hand saw, but a chainsaw (used safely) does the job much easier. Have to spray for weeds? A hand sprayer will do the trick, but your hands will be like claws by the time you’re done from squeezing that pumper so much so try an automatic sprayer instead. Need to put together a piece of furniture from IKEA – good luck using that alan wrench they give you or a simple screwdriver – I’ll take my electric screwdriver instead. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Don’t be like I was before I knew better – instead read the directions and use the right tools.

 

Ideas for YOU to Use This Wisdom…

I’m sure you’ve already realized that this lesson goes beyond just simple construction examples; the truth is that this wisdom can help you in pretty much all areas of your life. Consider these examples…

>Have to give a presentation at school or work? Equip yourself with notecards and arm yourself with confidence by practicing in front of a mirror and with friends.

>Trying to master a new trick on your skateboard? Get advice from your friends, watch how the pros do it, and again practice, practice, practice.

>Going to a job interview? Find out what the interviewer’s hobbies are and show up with a small gift related to it – you’ll set yourself apart – and when you combine that with intense preparation, good body language, and confident speech filled with well-thought out answers, you’re sure to get the job.

The bottom line here is that whatever the situation, if you can choose the right tool, you’re going to be much better off. Understand this early in life and you’ll be setting yourself up for success.

 

Did You Know…

Today’s lesson was adapted from a book Jax and I wrote called Diary of a Minecraft Dad

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