The Axe Strategy: How a Simple Swing Can Teach You to Achieve Your Goals

You may wonder how an axe striking the trunk of a tree can teach you how to accomplish your goals in life. Before going into the strategy itself, let’s talk about its application. This technique can be used to get to any goal you want, whether personal or professional, long-term or short-term. You’re in the right place if you want to reach your goals systematically and effectively within a designated time.

First, let me share some of my past experiences.

I learned it from my sensei during my martial arts training. I practiced karate, which requires precision when aiming to strike an opponent. And in karate, precision is crucial because it allows you to maximize the impact of your techniques while minimizing the risk of injury to yourself.

So, how do we maximize impact when we strike? That’s where the axe strategy comes in. This strategy is based on how an axe functions when it hits the trunk of a tree. Applying force is the key to creating maximum impact when you swing an axe.

At the start of the swing, you move slowly and in control. You gradually increase your speed and power as the axe approaches the trunk. You unleash your full strength just before impact to deliver a powerful, focused blow. The result is a clean, forceful strike, which will take down your opponent.

Similarly, when we punch or kick an opponent in karate, we start with minimal force, gradually accelerating. Just before we make contact, we use full power to maximize the impact on the target.

I started applying this same principle daily, especially when working toward goals. For example, when preparing for my exams, I didn’t start by studying for long hours. Instead, I eased into it. I began with small daily targets—studying for just one hour a day. As the exam approached, I gradually increased it to two, three, and four hours. Closer to the exam, I reached my peak level—studying for eight to nine hours a day. This made the whole process manageable and sustainable.

Now imagine if I hadn’t used this strategy. Out of initial excitement, I might have started studying for seven hours a day. But I would have felt burned out, bored, or overwhelmed. That inconsistency would have reduced my overall impact (my exam results).

Here’s the core idea: this strategy works through a gradual but consistent increase in effort. You can apply it to any goal in your life. You must only focus on slowly increasing your target and reaching your peak at the right time, for maximum impact.