Book Brew 56: Measure Twice, Cut Once

“We didn’t measure!!  We didn’t measure!!” - Cleveland Brown, Jr.

“You want me to do TWO things!?!” - Bender

The proverb “measure twice, cut once” is very well known since it has been around for centuries. (Funny story here: I just learned the difference between an adage and a proverb—I won’t bore you with the details, but look it up sometime if you aren’t aware.).

Lessons from Woodworking

Covey discusses the concept of measuring twice before cutting once as a way to think about planning. I grew up with this concept because my father’s family owned and operated a lumber mill, and my maternal grandfather did woodworking. Measuring first (and thereby planning) was such a staple of how to do things that I always thought everyone just did things that way.

It was well into my adulthood that I realized that not everyone approaches things the same way, let alone with a plan in mind. And it has only been in recent years that I have discovered how each of us lives in our own worlds built around our own perspectives - each very different from all the others. (Complete sidebar here, but there is a whole group of people out there who believe we are in a simulation - think The Matrix. It is an incredibly interesting theory, and there are entire subReddits out there dedicated to it).

Over the past few years I have been working on various woodworking projects with my dad so that I can learn the various machines, tools, and techniques. Measuring is such an important aspect of every step in a project. If just one measurement is off by even an eighth of an inch, the entire project could be ruined.

Precision in Practice

So why is it so important to “measure twice, cut once” in business?  

• Well, if you just go without a plan (i.e., cut with no measurement), it is quite possible that you will end up with costly mistakes because, just as in woodworking, where a single miscut can waste materials, hasty business decisions can lead to significant financial loss.  
• Measuring twice allows for a deep analysis of all factors involved, helping to improve decision-making by being better informed rather than making impulsive choices.  
• You can enhance the quality of your product by double-checking your processes and plans before executing.
• While seemingly counterintuitive, taking the extra time upfront to plan often saves you time in the long run. It helps to eliminate rushed work which needs to be redone due to mistakes.
• And probably the biggest thing, is protecting your business reputation by being able to consistently deliver a consistent product. Consistency is key.

Ponder This:

1. How do you approach planning in your business? Do you take the time to measure twice, or do you often find yourself making hasty decisions?
2. Can you recall a time when planning ahead saved you from a costly mistake? How did it impact your business?
3. How might applying the "measure twice, cut once" principle improve the consistency and quality of your work or product?

Books

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey