A couple years ago, I attended an event where John Maxwell was one of the featured speakers. And, that day he taught a lesson and gave an illustration that will forever stay on the minds of all the people present. The main point he made is that it’s not what you do one day that counts, it’s what you do everyday. And, a little bit everyday is better than a lot one day.
John Maxwell said that if he could teach one principle to people and that would be the one principle they need to be successful… He would teach them the Rule of 5.
The rule of 5 simply says that if you have a tree in your backyard and you need to cut it down, take an ax, go to that tree and hit the tree 5 times with the ax.
5 times.
Put the ax down. Go back inside.
The next day, go back to that tree and hit it 5 times. Put the ax down. Go back in the house.
And, the next day, pick up the ax. You go back to the same tree. And, 5 times hit that tree with that ax. Put the ax down.
The next day, go back outside to that tree. Everyday swing just 5 times to that tree. Everyday, just 5 times, not 15 times.
Not 50 times.
Not 500 times.
Not 5,000 times.
Just everyday take 5 swings. Everyday. Every day pick up that ax. Everyday swing that ax 5 times. Everyday 5 swings.
Let me ask you a question. What eventually will happen to that tree?
That tree will fall. We don’t need to debate about whether the tree fall.
No, because we know… everyday, everyday, 5 swings. You don’t miss. If you pick up that ax. 5 swings. 5 swings. Everyday just 5 swings. Everyday, if you have that ax. Everyday if you’re at that tree. 5 times, you’re swinging that ax. That tree is going to fall.
Now, if it’s a big tree, it may take a couple years. If it’s a small tree, it may take a couple months. I don’t know. But, here’s what I know. If everyday, you go to that tree and you swing 5 times with that ax, here’s what I know.
No matter how big that tree is. No matter how baaad that tree is… here’s what I know.
If everyday, you pick up that ax. And, you swing 5 times at that tree… here is what I know beyond a shadow of a doubt. It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It doesn’t matter what your name is. It doesn’t matter what your occupation is.
If you swing 5 times a day at that tree, here is what I know… that tree WILL fall. Not maybe. Not probably. Not usually. Not most of the time. Not 99.9%.. If you go to that tree and you pick up that ax. And, you swing 5 times. 5 times. Not 50 times.
5 times.
5 times. Did you get it? 5 times!
So many people think that in order to be successful, they have to do something a whole bunch all at once. No, you just have to do the right thing consistently.
5 times a day everyday is better than 5,000 times once a year.
But, before you take your first swing, you must know what your tree is.
Your tree is your vision, your goal. It’s what you want to knock down.
The question is what’s your tree?
And, as a side note, you know what doesn’t help? If everyday you take that ax and you hit a different tree. If you hit every tree in the forest, you won’t knock any tree down. You will just scar up the forest. And, then you’ll wonder why nothing is falling.
Nothing is falling, because you don’t hang with something long enough for it to fall.
You can equate this to starting a business. Maybe you give it 3 months and you don’t see the results you’re looking for. And, you think, I gotta find something quicker, faster and easier than this.
Can I tell you something?
There isn’t anything quick, easy and fast.. unless you’re going downhill.
No matter your endeavor, it’s going to take time and effort. The key is to give it consistent effort.
So, I encourage you to figure out what your tree is. Then, figure out what “5 swings” you need to take everyday. And, then do it. Consistently. Everyday.
When you do, you’ll be well on your way to success.
Till next time~ Enjoy your day. And, make it count!
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