It was just about 6 a.m. and traffic was picking up . The roads were wet and a little sloppy from just under a foot of snow dumped on them the night before. I was on my way from my home in New Hampshire to a morning business presentation in central Massachussetts. As I approached Concord, I realized I was coming up on a rollover accident that had just occurred a few minutes before. There were already a few people helping, and I pulled over to see if another pair of hands might be needed.

When I got out, I saw a woman standing next to a red SUV that was sitting on it’s side, driver’s side down. She was crying and talking on the phone. I noticed a man with a patch on his shoulder and immediately identified him as an off-duty firefighter. He was in charge of the scene, and I asked if another pair of hand s would help. He just motioned for me to hang around for a bit, as he climbed up onto the vehicle and inside through the smashed passenger window. It seemed that a young boy was still trapped inside. He was not obviously injured, but he couldn’t get free from the seat belt.

At this point the firefighter poked his head out again, and asked if any of us had a knife. I always carry a pocket knife, even when wearing a suit. I pulled it out of my pocket and handed it to the firefighter and he disappeared back into the SUV. Some other folks were finding a way to open the rear door to get the boy out. In a few minutes, they hauled him up out of the vehicle, and I helped hand him down to his mother, much to the relief of both of them. I checked to see if I was needed further, and departed so as not to crowd the scene and to make room for the emergency vehicles that were on their way.

I reflected on this incident afterwards, and realized that this incident carried some important lessons worth remembering.

We all use tools every day to conduct our business and our lives. Some of these tools are concrete and physical – a hammer, a computer, a book, a phone. Nevertheless, no matter what business you are in, the most important tools that you use are not physical. They are information, skills, techniques and processes that you utilize every day. They are the tools you keep between your ears. Just because these tools reside inside your skull does not mean that you don’t have to pay attention to them. Just like physical tools, there are a few guidelines that determine how useful they will be.

First, the only tool you can use is the one you have.

Standing in the aisle of Home Depot, and wishing for that table saw is not going to get your two by fours cut to size. In order to use the table saw, you are going to have to buy the table saw. It’s the same thing with personal skills and business know how. You have to acquire it. You may get it through formal education, internal training programs, mentoring partnerships, on the job training, or a million other ways, but you have to get it in order to use it.

Make the habit of investing in obtaining the tools you need for your business. Take a class in finances. Attend a seminar on listening and networking. Listen to CD’s on selling, or read books on management. And don’t worry about all the bells and whistles and latest fads. Instead, focus on high quality training that will provide you with sturdy proven techniques that apply to what you do.

The knife that I handed that firefighter is not a swiss army knife with a gazillion gadgets tucked in it. It is one carbon steel blade with a drop point and a synthetic handle. It is small, light and sharp and it gets the job done admirably. Most important, I carry it in my pocket wherever I go. When I needed it, all I had to do is grab it. If I had never bought it or carried it, I couldn’t have used it.

Second, keep your tools sharp.

There are few things as discouraging to use as a dull knife. I make a habit of sharpening my knife every few weeks. It doesn’t take long, but it sure makes the job easier when I need to use it. In the same way, make sure that once you attain a new skill, that you practice it regularly until it becomes a habit. Make sure you stay mentally and emotionally sharp. Do not neglect the simple preparations that make your job so much easier. I have heard that Abraham Lincoln once said, “I believe that if I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I would spend 6 hours sharpening my axe.” There is much to recommend this way of thinking.

Finally, be ready and willing to use your tools.

I could have driven by that accident that day. I am not trained as a First Responder. Other people had already stopped. I had an appointment to get to. Yet, I felt compelled to stop and at least offer another pair of hands. I tried to stay out of the way of the folks who knew what they were doing, simply observing and waiting for an opportunity where I could actually provide some kind of help. When the call came out for a knife, I was the only one who had one on me. I did not hesitate. My willingness and my action did not save the boys life, but it shortened the time that he had to suffer being trapped inside the car and away from his mother. When I stopped I wasn’t clear on how I could help, I just wanted to offer my help.

In the same way, in your life and in your business, look for opportunities where you can provide help. You may have one kind of help in mind, and you may actually be asked for something else. If you are ready and willing, you will very likely find that you can provide very useful help. It doesn’t matter whether that help is providing needed insurance, and automobile, a new home, or merely and introduction to a business associate. When you put yourself out there, the opportunities will come to you.

As I left the scene of the accident that day, I felt really really good. What’s more, my attitude toward my little seven dollar pocketknife had changed. What I had viewed as something simple and utilitarian had suddenly become a source of pride and joy for me because I had used it to help someone who really needed help. I had it with me, it was sharp and I was willing to use it. It was a good way to start the day.

Be Free!

This article is written by David Denis owner of http://www.rocksolidwriting.com

David is a freelance writer for hire offering article writing, sales letters, training manuals, speech writing, seo content, sales writing, blog articles, copy-writing service, sales scripts and business name ideas.

To learn more, or request a quote visit http://www.rocksolidwriting.com/freelance-writer-quote