Wisdom in the Details

If the ax is full, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success. Ecclesiastes 10:10

Why does it seem like there is never enough time to do a job right, but always enough time to do it over? An old axiom says "Preparation time is never wasted time." How true that is! Taking time to prepare for the task at hand will help to facilitate success.

I have become skilled in this area, but that hasn't always been the case. Years ago I was working on a logging crew. I was working one day with this other logger gathering hard to get logs to finish the area. This one particular log was so far up the hill that we had to use three different cables hooked to each other just to reach it. We worked hard to get these cables strung up the hill and the mission was accomplished. We walked back down the hill to make sure we were safe.

Our boss showed up to see how we were doing. That was the same time things started to not go so well. We stood by the cat and gave the operator the signal to winch in. We watched in horror as the cable came back down the hill. I thought he hooked up the log and he thought I did. Turns out we were both wrong, neither of us did. Had we paid attention to details, this all would have been avoided. Our lack of attention cost us double the work and a glare from the boss.

By Rick “Papa” Wilson