In a recent Facebook reel, I shared a quote from one of my favorite martial artists of all time, Bruce Lee.
Whether we like it or not, the grind in life mostly boils down to monotony.
And since we are what we repeatedly do, I’ve found that more often than not, the key to success is always practice, practice, and more practice.
ONE Championship CEO and founder Chatri Sityodtong used to recount how during the earlier years, he would fail at every attempt to pitch his idea to investors.
Those unsuccessful attempts were not a failure. Instead, they were simply practice attempts.
Abraham Lincoln has a famous quote ‘Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.’
Clearly, our president believed in the labor of preparation.
And so do I.
Both Bruce Lee and Abraham Lincoln valued the importance of preparation and practice before execution. But how exactly can one prepare?
But how can one sharpen their axe, so to speak?
Is there a routine or a process perhaps to effectively maximize your practice?
In today’s world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
We have access to more information, technology, and opportunities than ever before.
But with that comes an endless to-do list, notifications, and responsibilities. It can be difficult to manage everything and feel like you’re not falling behind.
That’s where the Sharp Axe Method comes in.
This method, inspired by the way early humans used to sharpen their tools, can help you cut through the clutter and focus on what’s truly important.
The Sharp Axe Method is based on the idea that just like a sharp axe is more effective than a dull one, a sharp mind is more effective than a cluttered one.
Here’s how you can use the Sharp Axe Method in your own life:
Prioritize
The first step in using the Sharp Axe Method is to prioritize.
Take a step back and think about what’s truly important to you.
What are your goals? What are the things that make you happiest? What are the things that need to get done?
Once you’ve identified your priorities, you can start to organize your to-do list around them.
Make sure you’re spending the majority of your time on the things that truly matter to you, and delegate or eliminate the things that don’t.
Simplify
Once you’ve identified your priorities, the next step is to simplify. The less clutter you have in your life, the easier it is to focus on what’s important.
Take a look at your physical environment, your digital life, and your schedule.
What can you eliminate or simplify? Can you declutter your home or office? Can you unsubscribe from email lists or delete apps you no longer use? Can you streamline your schedule by delegating or eliminating unnecessary commitments?
Simplifying your life can help you feel more focused and productive.
As an example, I make my bed every morning and it really helps to clear my mind and get me organized mentally for the rest of the day.
Stay sharp
Keeping a sharp mind is important to becoming the best version of yourself.
Navy seals and elite operators in the military are always training their responses, reflexes and awareness in heightened situations. This primes their mind to be sharp and also ensures that they can carry out their missions successfully.
Just like your health, it’s equally important to take care of your mind.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
Take breaks throughout the day to clear your mind and recharge.
Consider practicing mindfulness or meditation to help you stay focused and calm.
I’ve found that just 10 minutes of quiet time without any phones or social media can help to recalibrate myself mentally and physically. Try it out!
Use the right tools
In order to be effective, you need the right tools. This applies to both physical tools and digital tools.
Make sure you have the tools you need to accomplish your goals.
This could be something as simple as a to-do list or as complex as a project management software.
I rely on a simple notebook, pen and paper to organize myself. It gets the job done.
Evaluate your tools and make sure they’re helping you achieve your goals, not hindering you.
Sharpen your skills
Finally, just like a sharp axe is useless if you don’t know how to use it, the Sharp Axe Method is useless if you don’t have the skills to implement it.
Take the time to develop your skills in areas that are important to you. This could be something related to your career, a hobby you enjoy, or a personal goal you want to achieve.
The more you develop your skills, the more effective you’ll be at using the Sharp Axe Method to achieve your goals.