Sharpen the Blade: Replacing Habits That No Longer Serve You

By Dylan J. England | Health, Fitness & Development Coach

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of our life is shaped by the routines we repeat… and how often those routines go unquestioned.

This realization came, of all places, while shaving.

I noticed it was time to change the blade. If you’ve ever shaved with a dull razor, you know the feeling — it tugs, skips, irritates. It doesn’t glide like it used to. Why? Because over time, the blade gets clogged with residue — even though hair is so much softer than steel.

That got me thinking: What’s clogging my edge mentally and emotionally?

Just like a dull razor, our habits, beliefs, and mindset can get bogged down by residue — old patterns, outdated thinking, and emotional clutter. These slow us down, make life feel more difficult, and dull our potential.

Are You Operating with a Dull Blade?

We all carry habits that once served us but now hold us back — procrastination, self-doubt, rigid thinking, or even subconscious fear of failing again. Unlike razors, which we swap out when they stop working, we often cling to old routines because they’re familiar. Safe.

But is safe serving you anymore?

Think about your current habits. Your routines. Are they helping you grow? Or are they just repeating yesterday?

Taking time to regularly assess your routines is like sharpening your edge. As Abraham Lincoln said:

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

I Used to Work Hard — But Not Smart

For years, I prided myself on being a hard worker. I was strong. Determined. Physically fit. I ran ultra-marathons and pushed my body to its limits.

But mentally? I wasn’t evolving. I’d act before thinking. I wasn’t investing in how I thought — or even why I believed certain things about myself.

I grew up overweight, shy, insecure, and convinced that success belonged to someone else. That mindset shaped my identity — until I started questioning it. I realized I wasn’t dumb or lazy. I just hadn’t sharpened the right tools yet.

From Dead Ends to a New Direction

I eventually landed a job at a major energy company. Great pay. Overtime galore. The kind of “secure” work people celebrate.

But I was physically and mentally deteriorating. I’d go to work sick to my stomach. My body stopped sweating. I was dehydrated, exhausted, and emotionally numb. Working in extreme heat with toxic gases, I asked myself:

Is this really how I want to live the rest of my life?

The money wasn’t worth the tradeoff. I felt stuck. Unfulfilled. Lost.

Then someone changed my life.

“Go Back to School — Or I’m Out.”

That’s what my (now) wife said to me.

It was the push I needed to take ownership of my future. I didn’t have a clear plan — just a burning realization that something had to change.

So I went back to college. For the fourth time.

I started forcing myself to do the uncomfortable things:

Listening to personal development daily
Journaling
Practicing affirmations
Signing up for leadership programs
Surrounding myself with people who thought bigger

And I kept showing up. Even when I didn’t know what would come next.

Stop Watering the Wrong Plants

If you feed toxic routines, they’ll grow. If you plant better habits, they’ll grow too. You choose.

You are not a fixed story.
You are a work of art and a work in progress.

So ask yourself:

What habits am I clinging to that no longer serve me?
What mindset am I holding onto out of fear or comfort?
What version of me am I watering each day?

The life I’m living today once felt unreachable. But it started with one decision: to replace what wasn’t working.

Want to Go Deeper?

I share more of this journey and the mindset tools I’ve used in my latest episode of The Practical Edge Podcast:

👉 Listen now on my website:
🔗 https://englandcoaching.com/the-practical-edge-podcast

Or stream it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, IHeartRadio or any major platform.

If this message resonated with you, I promise the episode will inspire deeper thought and realignment.

Before you head back into your day… ask yourself:

What’s dulling your edge?
And what can you do today to sharpen it?

It’s not about perfection. It’s about progression.

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Ready for a coach who can help you sharpen these habits for life?
Check out my coaching program at www.dylanjengland.com. Let’s build the foundation for your best life—together.

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Have questions or need personalized guidance? Email us: Fitnesstherapyde@gmail.com

Let’s make your goals a reality—together.

England Coaching