Fortitude Fridays #48
read time: 6 mins
Today at a Glance:
- Quote: Preparation for Success.
- Question: What Are You Busy Doing.
- Book: Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal.
- Tactic: 5 Areas to Sharpen the Axe.

Quote to Ponder:
Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
-Abraham Lincoln
Efficiency and effectiveness that come from careful groundwork, a principle applicable not just in tree-felling but in many aspects of life.
Preparation, in it's many forms, can significantly increase the chances of success when the time for action arrives.
Don't forget to sharpen your axe.
Question to Ask:
What areas of your life are you too busy chopping wood to sharpen the axe?
In life's journey, striking a balance between addressing immediate tasks (akin to "chopping wood") and dedicating time to self-improvement and strategic planning (akin to "sharpening the axe") is imperative. Our time is finite, and its allocation should align with our priorities.
This question prompts us to reflect on areas where we may be spending excessive time and consider streamlining processes for increased efficiency.
For instance, if mundane tasks like deciding dinner menus, shopping, and meal preparation consume significant portions of your valuable time, subscribing to a healthy meal delivery service could be a streamlined solution. Similarly, when working on your side hustle website, weigh the benefits of learning to build it yourself for the joy of the process or investing in professional expertise to expedite the project.
This perspective serves as a reminder to ferociously manage our time. Striking the right balance between busyness and productivity is a delicate art, and takes continuous reflection and refinement.
Book to Check Out:
Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You
By Ali Abdaal
Ali Abdaal, a British medical doctor and popular YouTuber, shares advice on efficient studying, time management, and personal development. In his book, "Feel Good Productivity," he uniquely integrates mindfulness and self-care into the productivity framework, offering a valuable resource for those seeking a harmonious and sustainable approach to work and life.
Noteworthy aspects of the book include Abdaal's practical time management tips and his adept use of technology. Offering actionable advice on optimizing routines, utilizing productivity tools, and cultivating habits for a sense of accomplishment, the book provides a comprehensive guide. Abdaal's encouragement to embrace imperfection and iterate on productivity systems resonates, guiding the reader to develop a mindset of continuous improvement without unrealistic expectations.
Key Takeaway: This book serves as an antidote for the hustle culture, providing a reality check for ambitious individuals aspiring to achieve lasting success. It presents a highly practical approach to productivity, delivering a message that everyone needs to hear but is often left unspoken.
My Thoughts: I listened to the audiobook version, and I blew through it in less than 2 days because it was lovely to listen to. The author narrates it himself, and it was wonderfully different from many of the productivity books I read. I really enjoyed his calm, kind and joyful approach to helping individuals find their productivity with a dash of unabashed nerdiness and humor. Highly recommend.
Tactic to Try: Sharpening the Axe in Life
We all aspire to work smarter, not harder, especially in an era demanding increased productivity at breakneck speeds. Many of us find ourselves juggling multiple tasks, often wondering, 'Where does the time go?' This is where efficiency comes into play, allowing us to streamline processes, achieve our goals, and savor the magic life has to offer.
Here, I share insights into five suggested areas of life where you can sharpen your proverbial axe, enabling you to accomplish more than you thought possible. Many individuals navigate through life with a dull blade, tirelessly hacking away and feeling they can barely make a dent. This leads to discouragement, burnout, and overall dissatisfaction.
Consider taking a step back to evaluate your life. While hard work is essential for success, sharpening your axe ensures that your efforts count. Let's explore ways to work diligently and efficiently, making the most of our time and energy.
Let's go!
Putting it into Action:
5 (Suggested) Areas to Sharpen the Axe:
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Health:
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Physical Well-being:
- Prioritize long walks, especially in nature, for both physical and mental health.
- Aim for 7+ hours of sleep each night to support overall well-being.
- Identify and prioritize the type of rest your body needs to prevent burnout.
- Hydrate adequately (0.5-1 fl oz per lb of body weight).
- Limit screen time to aid in sleep and dopamine rebalancing.
- Consider hiring a trainer to optimize gym time and achieve fitness goals.
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Physical Well-being:
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Relationships:
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Choose Your Inner Circle Wisely:
- Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and contribute to personal growth.
- Create an inner circle with those who inspire and uplift you, providing honest feedback.
- Be mindful of those who drain your energy; limit time spent with such individuals.
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Choose Your Inner Circle Wisely:
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Finances:
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Money Management:
- Review and cancel unused subscriptions to streamline expenses.
- Apply the 1% Rule for impulse buys: If it costs more than 1% of your gross annual income, wait 3 days before making the purchase.
- Explore financial literacy through books like "The Psychology of Money" and "Rich Dad, Poor Dad."
- Create a budget with 50% for Needs, 30% for Wants, and 20% for savings and investments.
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Money Management:
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Time:
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Effective Time Management:
- Apply Pareto's Principle: Focus on the 20% of tasks that lead to 80% of your results.
- Utilize the Pomodoro Method for deep focus: work in intervals with short breaks.
- Embrace 'No' as your default response to non-essential commitments.
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Effective Time Management:
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Knowledge/Skills:
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Continuous Learning:
- Read daily for at least 30 minutes to broaden knowledge and perspectives.
- Dedicate 30 minutes a day to deliberate skill practice (e.g., playing an instrument, learning a language).
- Listen to audiobooks/podcasts during your commute or walks.
- Approach every interaction as an opportunity to learn, imagining everyone has something valuable to teach.
- Explore online classes (e.g., Skillshare, MasterClass) for self-paced learning.
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Continuous Learning:
Bringing It Home:
Remember, maintaining your axe is a continual process that requires regular learning and growth. While I've highlighted a few areas, there are many more ways to sharpen your axe, so feel free to reflect and choose what works best for you. Be kind to yourself, seek feedback, and engage in introspection. Don't hesitate to upgrade your tools and your thinking; problem-solving is diverse, so explore and find what suits you best. Finally, remember it's okay to revisit and adjust strategies as life evolves.
Stay sharp, and don't forget that you've got this!

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