Abraham Lincoln was onto something when he said this famous quote. When it comes to chopping down a tree, or in this case, teaching business development principles to lawyers, spending the majority of your time sharpening the ax is crucial. You can’t just go into it blindly and hope for the best. Business development is all about strategy and planning. By taking the time to build a strategy, you’re setting yourself up for success.
“If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.”
Abraham Lincoln
Sure, there will be times when you need to act quickly, and decisive action is required. But in most cases, taking a step back and being thoughtful about your approach will pay off in the long run. So next time you’re embarking on a new project, remember Abraham Lincoln’s wise words. Take the time to sharpen your ax. It might just be the difference between success and failure.
The risks of not sharpening your ax with a coach or mentor could be costly and mean the difference between success and failure. Not being prepared is a recipe for disaster.
Take the time to learn from those before you and avoid making the same mistakes. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel for business development. By following in the footsteps of those who have been successful, you’ll be able to achieve your goals much quicker and with far less stress. So next time you’re starting something new, take a page out of Abraham Lincoln’s book. Make sure you spend some time honing your skills. It just might be the key to your success.
Mentoring for success
Contact your sales coach and learn. Lincoln was hardworking, but he understood that every job requires unique tools to perform at the highest level. Success will come much more straightforward if you have the right tools and know how to use them.
Always consult with a or mentor – someone who has gone before you and can offer guidance. By doing this, you will avoid making the same mistakes that they made and will be able to achieve success much quicker.
