Do you hear the term firefighting, see concentrated efforts to maintain something, or correct issues? Does it take up all the available time?

Does this sound familiar?

Motivational speaker Harvey Mackay told a story of two lumberjacks cutting wood.

One of the men worked hard all day, seldom took a break, and took only 20 minutes for lunch. The other man took several breaks a day, spent 45 minutes for lunch, and even took a 15-minute nap before going back to work.

The first man became increasingly frustrated because, no matter how hard he worked, the other man’s pile of chopped wood was always much bigger than his at the end of the day.

“I don’t understand how you do it,” said the first man one day. “Every time I look around, you are sitting down, and yet you cut more wood than I do. Why is that?” With a smile, the second man replied, “Did you also notice that while I was sitting down, I was sharpening my axe?”