Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen the saw?

Stephen Covey, in his book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” calls the final habit, habit 7 “Sharpening the Saw”. Habit 7 is “the habit that makes all the others possible”. Stephen tells the following parable that pretty much sums up the principle. 

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.

 

“What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen the saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”