By now you must have heard a variation of the story:

A young man approached the foreman of a logging crew and asked for a job. "That depends," replied the foreman. "Let's see you fell this tree." The young man stepped forward, and skillfully felled a great tree. Impressed, the foreman exclaimed, "You can start Monday."

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by -- and Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your paycheck on the way out today."

Startled, the young man replied, "I thought you paid on Friday." "Normally we do," said the foreman. "But we're letting you go today because you've fallen behind. Our daily charts show that you've dropped from first place on Monday to last place today."

"But I'm a hard worker," the young man objected. "I arrive first, leave last, and even have worked through my coffee breaks!"

The foreman, sensing the young man's integrity, thought for a minute and then asked, "Have you been sharpening your ax?"

The young man replied, "No sir, I've been working too hard to take time for that!"

Our lives are like that. We often get so busy that we don't take time to "sharpen the ax." In today's world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp?

There's nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But when you get so busy that you neglect to keep your axe sharp -- to re-energize yourself with fresh new ideas that will help you become dull and lose your effectiveness.

If it has been awhile since you have put an edge on your axe, do something about it ... while you still can.

The Greening of the Industry

There is a lot of press lately on environmental topics -- renewable energy, recycling, sustainable agriculture, carbon footprints, energy conservation and so it goes.

Companies that have embraced "green" practices are getting increased press coverage -- and perhaps increased guest support -- because of it.

This month we look at the greening of the restaurant industry and what, if anything, you are doing to become part of it.

As usual, I will send copies of the survey results to everyone who participates. In the meantime, you can download copies of all past EHC surveys -- including the massive WOW Ideas collections.

Click here to add your thoughts to this month's survey.

• How to Make Yourself Recession-Proof - the "big idea" I got in China that is the key to breaking out of a slump and doing something significant
  
• Make a Plan. Make a Buck - why you need a marketing calendar and resources to help you make one
  
• What Did You Learn From Your Staff Today? - an insight into how the most important lessons you learn from your staff ... are about yourself!
  
• Special Offers on management resources and services.
  

Solve the problem of what to talk about in your next staff meeting. Upgrade to the EHC Special Edition and get it all!