Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant, and he got it. His salary was really good and so were the working conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.
His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to fell the trees.
The First day, the woodcutter brought 15 trees.
“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Carry on with your work!”
Highly motivated by the words of his boss, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring 10 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he was only able to bring 7 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.
“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the Boss asked.
“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”
Most of us NEVER update our skills. We think that whatever we have learned is very much enough. But good is not good when better is expected.
Sharpening our skills from time to time is the key to success.
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Friday, January 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Change Your Thinking
One of my friend forwarded a mail which had a thought provoking story.Thought will share with all in my blog.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed....
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Moral of the story:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled..If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed....
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Moral of the story:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled..If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Management Lesson
One of my friend mailed me a story,which was really funny and one that as a meaningful lesson.I thought i will share it with everyone in my blog.
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a Pathan got on. Six feet four, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the conductor and said, "Pathan doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Conductor didn't argue with Pathan, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened รข€“ Pathan got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next..
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Pathan was taking advantage of poor conductor. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So, on the next Monday, when Pathan once again got on the bus and said, "Pathan doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at Pathan, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Pathan replied, "Pathan has a bus pass."
Management Lesson: Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one.
Many in life worry themselves a lot without understanding the real problem.A problem is never a problem if dealt at the beginning itself.Life is cool,if its felt so.Lets stopping worrying and try to live a tension free life.
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a Pathan got on. Six feet four, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the conductor and said, "Pathan doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Conductor didn't argue with Pathan, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened รข€“ Pathan got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next..
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Pathan was taking advantage of poor conductor. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So, on the next Monday, when Pathan once again got on the bus and said, "Pathan doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at Pathan, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Pathan replied, "Pathan has a bus pass."
Management Lesson: Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one.
Many in life worry themselves a lot without understanding the real problem.A problem is never a problem if dealt at the beginning itself.Life is cool,if its felt so.Lets stopping worrying and try to live a tension free life.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Think before you react
I read this story in a magazine.Its a real story and a must read for all of them.In life many people react immediately to all things they see,but don't think before they react.People always assume things about which ever they see, without knowing the real truth in it.I have seen many people who assume things on their own and have a wrong perception.
In management roles,many do this mistake and create blunders in work.The management people must think twice before they react in all situations.The story that thought me a lesson is below.
The train has started moving. It is packed with people of all ages, mostly with the working men and women and young college guys and girls. Near the window, was seated an old man with his 30 year old son. As the train moves by, the son is overwhelmed with joy as he was thrilled with the scenery outside…
’See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful'
This behavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feel strange about him. Every one started murmuring something or other about this son. ‘This guy seems to be a freak...' newly married Anup whispered to his wife.
Suddenly it started raining... Rain drops fell on the travelers through the opened window. The Thirty year old son, filled with joy ' see dad, how beautiful the rain is ...'
Anup's wife got irritated with the rain drops spoiling her new suit.
Anup,' cant you see its raining, you old man, if ur son is not feeling well get him soon to a mental asylum...and don’t disturb public henceforth'
The old man hesitated first and then in a low tone replied ' we are on the way back from hospital, my son got discharged today morning, he was blind by birth, last week only he got his vision, these rain and nature are new to his eyes.... Please forgive us for the inconvenience caused...'
The things we see may be right from our perspective until we know the truth. But when we know the truth our reaction to that will hurt even us. So try to understand the problem better before taking a harsh action.
In management roles,many do this mistake and create blunders in work.The management people must think twice before they react in all situations.The story that thought me a lesson is below.
The train has started moving. It is packed with people of all ages, mostly with the working men and women and young college guys and girls. Near the window, was seated an old man with his 30 year old son. As the train moves by, the son is overwhelmed with joy as he was thrilled with the scenery outside…
’See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful'
This behavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feel strange about him. Every one started murmuring something or other about this son. ‘This guy seems to be a freak...' newly married Anup whispered to his wife.
Suddenly it started raining... Rain drops fell on the travelers through the opened window. The Thirty year old son, filled with joy ' see dad, how beautiful the rain is ...'
Anup's wife got irritated with the rain drops spoiling her new suit.
Anup,' cant you see its raining, you old man, if ur son is not feeling well get him soon to a mental asylum...and don’t disturb public henceforth'
The old man hesitated first and then in a low tone replied ' we are on the way back from hospital, my son got discharged today morning, he was blind by birth, last week only he got his vision, these rain and nature are new to his eyes.... Please forgive us for the inconvenience caused...'
The things we see may be right from our perspective until we know the truth. But when we know the truth our reaction to that will hurt even us. So try to understand the problem better before taking a harsh action.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Does Management know their Staff?
I received a mail from one of my friend with the subject "Does management know their staff? The story in the mail really made me laugh.This is how most of the organizations seemed to be functioning in reality.Its not possible for the management to know each and every employee working in the company, but they should have a functioning system to identify who their employees are and are not.
On walking into the factory, the Managing Director of the company
noticed a young guy leaning against the wall, doing nothing.
He approached the young man and calmly said to him,
"How much do you earn?"
The young man was quite amazed
that he was asked such a personal question,
he replied, none the less, "I earn $ 2000.00 a month,
Sir. Why?"
Without answering, the MD took out his wallet
and removed $6000.00 cash and gave it to the young man and said,
"Around here I pay people for working,
not for standing around looking pretty!
Here is your 3 months salary, now GET OUT and don't come back".
The young man turned around and was quickly out of sight.
Noticing a few onlookers, the MD said in a very upset manner,
"And that applies to everybody in this company".
He approached one of the onlookers and asked him, "Who's the young man
I just fired?"
To which an amazing reply came - "He was the pizza delivery guy , Sir!"
On walking into the factory, the Managing Director of the company
noticed a young guy leaning against the wall, doing nothing.
He approached the young man and calmly said to him,
"How much do you earn?"
The young man was quite amazed
that he was asked such a personal question,
he replied, none the less, "I earn $ 2000.00 a month,
Sir. Why?"
Without answering, the MD took out his wallet
and removed $6000.00 cash and gave it to the young man and said,
"Around here I pay people for working,
not for standing around looking pretty!
Here is your 3 months salary, now GET OUT and don't come back".
The young man turned around and was quickly out of sight.
Noticing a few onlookers, the MD said in a very upset manner,
"And that applies to everybody in this company".
He approached one of the onlookers and asked him, "Who's the young man
I just fired?"
To which an amazing reply came - "He was the pizza delivery guy , Sir!"
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