Tag Archives: sharpen the saw

Henry Ford Knows You Are Right

If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.
Henry Ford, (attributed)
US automobile industrialist (1863 – 1947)        Source: quotations page

Henry Ford was right. Founder of Ford Motor Company, the Model T and the assembly line, he changed the way Americans and the world did business. Above is one of my favorite quotes from Henry Ford.

As we begin learning new skills, it can feel like an uphill battle.

  • Sweat dripping off our brow.
  • Knees knocking.
  • Butterflies in our stomach.
  • Heart racing.

First time experiences may set the nervous energy flowing. Direct the adrenaline rush towards a positive channel to benefit from your experience. It is easy to get wrapped up in the fears.

Take control of your destiny and focus your efforts on the results. A few deep breathes can do wonders to relax the mind. Take a moment to refocus your energy.

Learning Japanese to Sharpen the Saw

Steven Covey‘s 7th habit in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People“,  is “Sharpen the Saw“. For Covey, this means growth and self renewal in physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual areas of your life. By challenging ourselves, we stretch our mental capacity to keep on top of our game.

My husband and I enjoy traveling and learning about local people, customs and cultures of the places we visit. In Hawaii, we often encounter Japanese tourists and residents who speak limited English. We decided to learn to speak Japanese to better communicate when we are on island. My husband devotes more time to this studying and further ahead in this journey. He is able to converse to understand and get his point across in Japanese.

Sharpening the saw in your business is also important. Staying current with evolving trends and  technology allows you to better communicate with your customers. What are you doing to sharpen your saw?