Everyday two lumberjacks go out into the forest, sunup to sundown, to chop down trees. Two big and powerful men with axe in hand and an entire forest in front of them. Each day the younger lumberjack would notice the older lumberjack disappear for a while and with a smirk on his face, think this older lumberjack couldn’t keep up and needed a break.

One morning the younger lumberjack wants to display his superiority and proposes a competition to see who could chop down the most trees in a day. All day the younger lumberjack has axe in hand chopping through the forest while the older lumberjack still takes his daily break. As the sun sets, the two lumberjacks reveal their results, and the victory goes to the older lumberjack. In shock, the younger lumberjack says, I work nonstop all day chopping these trees and you disappear to take a break, yet you cut down more trees than me. How is that possible? The lumberjack’s response, while yes, I do take a break, each day I disappear to go sharpen my axe.

Think about the past week. Have you felt the day has consumed you to the point where the calendar runs you? We give up control of our day because of our nonstop meetings, travel, kids’ activities, and the list goes on. The reality is this lack of control leads to time periods of burnout and ineffectiveness. At work we start going through the motion. We start accepting less healthy eating options or bypass any type of exercise. We aren’t present with our family when we get home.

To make the most of our day and take control back, we must find ways to sharpen our axe throughout the day. The lumberjack parable demonstrates to sharpen the axe is to create time and space for us to recharge and refocus what we’re working to accomplish during the day. For some of us it may be a workout that reenergizes our body for a great rest of the day. Some of us may prefer lunch with friends, reading a book, going for a walk, or catching up on a podcast. Regardless of the method of sharpening your axe, shift the mindset from I’ve got too much on my plate to take a break to how much more effective I’ll be the rest of the day if I take time to sharpen my axe.

Take your step: for the next week find time each day on the calendar to block and make a promise to yourself to sharpen your axe (whatever method you choose) to make the rest of the day a success.