Dear World
What do these 2 words mean to us?
What does the Dictionary tell us about these words?
Cambridge Dictionary
To perform better, or to improve the performance of something (1)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
To become better, smarter, more skillful, etc
To improve something (2)
Are these definitions cutting it or would it be of benefit and MORE useful if we could have some Real life examples we could relate to?
Rather than improve or better anything, What If we could be ignited and inspired to make some SHARPEN UP movements?
What If this article is presenting Another Way where we could actually make the movements to SHARPEN UP and observe how life starts to Change and get on Track?
FOR THE RECORD
ALL this presentation comes from REAL LIFE
There is nothing Fake, Phony, false or fabricated
It’s REAL and this is WHY it can make a difference
Let’s start with a big dose of Honesty and then some more …
What areas of our life do we need to SHARPEN UP on?
Nominate what is clearly not working and never has
Some of us may have been at the receiving end of the words “Sharpen up your act” which means change your behaviour.
Polish up and fine tune are related, but the point of this presentation is to give some Real life examples of where some of us need to Sharpen Up.
If we think that we are totally ON it and have no need to Sharpen Up, think again and consider the finer details in life that could be missing.
These are Real life everyday tasks where we can “Sharpen Up”
Sharpen up with Finances
Attend to the Bills with Immediacy
Always deal with Invoices promptly
Get the Paperwork ready for Taxes in advance
Stop Procrastinating and Putting Things Off
Stop whinging and whining about Finances
Stop living on next month’s money not yet here
Stop Gambling the money that are for bills
Stop spending if that is where Focus is needed
Admit if you cannot manage your Finances
Face any DEBT with no criticism or Judgement
Get proper support and read our Roadmap guide
Ask why we need lots of plastic cards in our wallet?
End the Champagne Lifestyle with Lemonade Money
Taking a low paid temp job that is not in our field because we don’t want the actual Responsibility of growing up is a sign of immaturity.
SHARPEN UP
Acting like we live in poverty and have a tendency to get others paying for us when we comfortably have 3 Holidays a year.
SHARPEN UP
Reacting to anything related to money as we are mis–managing our finances is not the way to go.
SHARPEN UP
The call is for CORRECTION
that means SHARPEN UP on all areas of Finance and Money.
For those who have excess amounts of income streams and plenty of money to Waste SHARPEN UP.
Example
How many Fast Cars do we actually need when we cannot even take care of our body that is being run to the ground with copious amounts of this and that?
SHARPEN UP
Example
End the fantasy and dream state when it comes to actual money.
Debt for vet bills – why not sell the third Car just sitting on the drive never used?
Example
Losing money on the currencies that are not accepted worldwide but we keep going at it hoping for a win soon.
SHARPEN UP and read our Gambling article
If you can afford it and you love the excitement it brings – ask why you keep doing it and what is the Purpose?
Example
Stop the hoping and wishing lottery scratch cards. Get Real
Use that money to get the repair jobs needed or save it
Example
Private surgery is the norm as there is endless amounts of money to spend, so end the licence to Trash our body and SHARPEN UP.
Save the pain and time of going through un–necessary stuff
Example
Forcing our kids into private Education and boarding school when our income cannot keep up is not the way to go.
SHARPEN UP
Example
Stop playing Nice and be upfront and open about what is affordable and what is not.
SHARPEN UP
Example
If a wedding destination cost is not in budget, no point forcing the finances just to attend. Make it an absolute NO and feel the settlement in our body.
SHARPEN UP
Example
If we have 10 rental properties, how about we sell one and use that to fund the lifestyle we feel entitled to AND allow our hard working struggling Tenants to have no rent increase.
SHARPEN UP
Example
AND how about as a Landlord we do the repairs and actually take care of the properties we rent as if it were our own or for a Family member.
SHARPEN UP
Example
Unwilling as a landlord to do the essential repairs after years of neglect as that would mean paying and we prefer Profit Only.
SHARPEN UP
Example
Calculating how to strategically make more money from the struggling tenants we rent to but never considering that the money is not needed as we have a whole portfolio of properties.
SHARPEN UP
Example
Serving notice on long–term tenants because they cannot pay us the big increased rent we Demand even though we are mortgage free and have adequate cash flow and assets.
SHARPEN UP
Example
Doing dodgy Paperwork to benefit from the systems that may let us Get Away with it unchecked.
SHARPEN UP and read our article on Karma
Example
Joining the bandwagon of some of our financial influencers on Social Media that Lie but we keep following their every word.
SHARPEN UP
Example
Avoiding Uncle Sam the tax man and paying the penalties for late payment when there was a whole year to get things actioned.
SHARPEN UP NOW
SHARPEN UP actually means Live within our means and don’t do stupid things. Not worth it.
There is a world that needs our support and it is NOT about philanthropy or getting into where the elite and celebs hang out.
Use the money wisely and with PURPOSE to help others
This is the call to SHARPEN UP
Next –
WARNING
The following are based on Real Life Situations
Sharpen Up in Business
Leading a big meeting and the Spectacles are not clean
SHARPEN UP
Have the designer suit on with stupid socks or dirty shoes
SHARPEN UP
Wear the dress in the Board room but forget we still have the New Norm look – trainers for Footwear and even worse dirty.
SHARPEN UP
Big Supermarket chain – RED ink as till roll ending
SHARPEN UP
Till roll runs out so we make Excuses to customers
SHARPEN UP
No trolleys in the bay as Supermarket shoppers can’t be bothered and the guy who does the job is off today.
SHARPEN UP
Running out of Toilet rolls in a busy hair salon or beauty clinic and not taking Action immediately is a simple No.
SHARPEN UP
Customer Toilet has no paper tissues, towel or dryer
SHARPEN UP
Post arriving for previous occupants and just left in a pile
SHARPEN UP
Knowing staff are using work time to action private matters daily.
SHARPEN UP
Consistent late arrivals to sign in at work that offers public service is not addressed.
SHARPEN UP
All staff Holidays booked in work hours and those in senior positions say nothing.
SHARPEN UP
Deliberately taking extra leave to sign off with the line manager and it goes unchecked in a professional job.
SHARPEN UP
Doing deals with co-workers. Privately paying them to get the Holiday slot you desperately want.
SHARPEN UP
Finishing way earlier than paid time is now the New Norm and widely accepted.
SHARPEN UP
Owning a large spa Business with multiple clinics and working with dirty Footwear, ungroomed hair and a baggy old cardigan.
SHARPEN UP as you will not be taken seriously by anyone.
Running a multi–million business with high volume of footfall but cleaner comes twice a week instead of daily under the banner of saving costs.
SHARPEN UP
Broken vacuum cleaner and “maintenance staff” expected to carry on without a replacement.
SHARPEN UP
Cleaner feels low paid job is not worthy of giving it their all, so they spend paid time scrolling on the phone – easy as there is no one around to check the Standard of work.
SHARPEN UP
Cleaner goes on Holiday and there is no replacement or plans for staff to carry out the duties.
SHARPEN UP
Cleaning cupboard is part of the new rental to get more money, so staff toilets are crammed to hold items.
SHARPEN UP
Flashing sign saying air conditioner filter needs replacing. The business can easily afford to pay, but not seen as important as the owners do not work there, so 4 years later no Change.
SHARPEN UP
Inside gets painted but entering the building has not seen paint in over a decade.
SHARPEN UP
State of the office, shop floor or front of shop where customers come – computer Screen and keyboard very dirty.
SHARPEN UP
Dog roaming around and barking when on important Business calls but this is the new post pandemic way so we just accept it. NO.
SHARPEN UP
Allowing dogs into the office with many fearful or allergic to pets but we want to be a Nice employer.
SHARPEN UP
First Aid box cannot be located and the only trained First Aider is off on long–term sick leave.
SHARPEN UP
Health and Safety policy that all new recruits are to read and sign is not even on the radar even though it is super important.
SHARPEN UP
Sloppy blobby days with pyjamas on, where we don’t even bother to get changed for the Zoom meeting at work, as we just keep the camera off, has consequences.
SHARPEN UP
How about we live life like we are on camera 168 hours a week?
This is not about being stiff and wearing ironed shirts and tailored trousers all day but it is about our behaviours, our movements.
SHARPEN UP
Sharpen Up at Home
Attend to what is needed without Delay
Nothing more and nothing less
Just GET ON WITH IT
Deal with the Junk Mail and return to sender
Get the dodgy window lock fixed
Get the extra key cutting done
Get the Passports renewed
Get your Power of Attorney done
Do your Will and stop Putting it off
Action all the outstanding Paperwork
Take the coat to the professional cleaners
Take the garments to the sewing shop
Do the actual ironing and stop it piling up
Do the Laundry and not last minute dot com
Wash the woolly hat that has never seen a clean
Clean the mud and dirt off shoes and boots. Polish up.
Stop making Excuses and clean up
Practice Tidying Up every single day
Check the dishes are washed properly
Make sure food is not stuck on the sides or underneath
Replace the Toilet1 roll in the holder when it finishes
Clean the Toilet2 instead of bashing yourself with a reminder
Squeaky door take Action and apply the oil
Dirty cupboard needs a clean and organise
Drawer full of this and that needs order now
Too much stuffed into the closet – take Action
Chaos with the clothes all over the place – sort it
Stop walking around in worn out slippers, replace
Get the charity goodwill bags out of the house
Recycling needs to leave the home not stay there
Change the towels and not wait for a smell to remind us
Change the hoover bag or container as the stench is yuk
Stop walking on dirty unwashed floors – clean them
Use the vacuum cleaner that’s what its purpose is!
Empty the Trash now
AND Stop waiting for someone else to do it
Deal with the sink that needs proper cleaning
Deal with cleaning the bathroom regularly
Get the hairs and gunk out of the bath plug hole
Fridge stinks so clean and review everything
Clean the cooker and oven or get the professionals in
Stop filling the freezer with even more ice cream in winter
Swap the movie watching for some serious EMAIL HOUSEKEEPING.
This article is well worth reading and then the author’s Real life comments to support further – a proper SHARPEN UP lesson.
Go through the Contact list on the phone and DELETE those that we cannot even remember.
Then DELETE those we have never connected to in a decade.
This is simply not a SMART way to behave as a smartphone user.
Talk about washing the Car, buy the gadgets and then nothing.
SHARPEN UP. Get our act together and start without Excuses.
Get the Car cleaned or commit to DIY and actually Finish the Job.
Check and clean the inside of the Car and SHARPEN UP your act.
Take responsibility for keeping the garden neat and tidy if that is part of your home.
SHARPEN UP
Living as tenants in shared communal spaces then moving out leaving heaps of stuff outside is an absolute NO.
SHARPEN UP
Sub–letting our home as the rent is too much but not really as we have 4 Holidays and several cars and motorbikes.
SHARPEN UP
END the FOMO nonsense and SHARPEN UP in ALL areas mentioned thus far then continue… there is MORE…
If we leave the dishes overnight or food on the table as we could not be bothered to put it in the Trash or fridge then SHARPEN UP.
Our sloppy behaviours are draining us and that is worth noting
Wayward Living is not an entitlement to behave irresponsibly
SHARPEN UP
Prepare for Work the next day and get the house jobs in order including cooking. This is what we call SHARPEN UP.
If we leave the house clean and Tidy on our way out to work and we make this a regular thing, we will feel this when we get back home.
SHARPEN UP is simply about upholding STANDARDS
As a world, we have dropped our good old fashion Standards
FOCUS and Pay Attention to what needs Action and then simply GET ON WITH IT.
We are all here to be Real Role Models and this is only possible if we SHARPEN UP and that means having STANDARDS.
Sharpen up with Sleep
Get your Sleep1 in order
Start reading our Sleep2 category on this website
Stop scrolling on Social Media at night
Stop the Caffeine and Alcohol before bed
Stop pretending you will catch up on Sleep1
If you want to keep the job, Late Nights must end
Have a Nap on Days Off or when possible
Swap the crap food for a Nap instead
Swap scrolling on the phone for a decent Nap
Try having a deep Nap instead of the TV box set
Replace Online not needed Shopping for a Nap
Get blood tests checked to see if there is depletion
Take the necessary Vitamins and Supplements
Take exercise and some form of movement daily
Develop a Routine and rhythm for winding down
Consider daytime reactions that could be affecting Sleep
Preparing for Surgery
This is SERIOUS
SHARPEN UP NOW and not the week before
Make sure the detail is in place where needed
Share with those close, how we actually feel
Get all matters organised and in place now
Be on the ‘front foot’ as that will help with recovery
Many of us are not aware that by preparing the body before Surgery, regardless of how minor or major it is, our post recovery will be less Complicated and painfull, if we SHARPEN UP our act and plan and prepare in advance.
Sharpen up in the Community
Stop leaving the Supermarket trolley next to the Car as we cannot be bothered to walk a few steps and put it in the trolley area.
SHARPEN UP
No point venting or complaining
SHARPEN UP
Simply raise the Standard, uphold it and by taking Responsibility and not reacting things Change.
Others around will SHARPEN UP as you are not accepting less
If there is a shared communal space, clean up the mess and police the area and get the neighbours involved.
SHARPEN UP
Having No common decency or respect for what we think is not ours or personal to us is simply planet I, me, myself and there is NOTHING Sharp about this.
It is NOT acceptable to put our dog poo in the passing bin on the street as we cannot be bothered to dispose of it in our own Trash.
SHARPEN UP
Taking our cat or dog for a walk in designer clothes and a pram but walking with our head in the phone and not seeing passing pedestrians is stupid.
SHARPEN UP
Build connections within the Community
The elderly guy at the Supermarket checkout is struggling with his housing situation and we know what to do so take Action.
The disabled neighbour needs help with Online collection of an old bed – get it done without any Delay.
Share the wisdom we have lived with our years of experience instead of Holding Back. The community would welcome it.
Get out of retirement mode and offer our skills and services as a volunteer. It is more purposeful and rewarding than most realise.
Someone working in a low paid job with English as a second language asking for some guidance – give them the time and support them.
A thank you card with sincere words to the GP surgery receptionist who moved mountains to help us.
A genuine card with enrichment for the amazing older woman at the bank who will cherish it forever.
Greet the shop assistant with a smile and ask how they are and how great it is to see them again. We have no idea what this means where the day just drags and all they receive are complaints or abuse.
SHARPEN UP in our Community literally means end the just about me and my Family and replace it with true care for all.
Next –
SHARPEN UP
Start with this spectacular website – a Free library full of living Another Way1 that is not going to harm you or others.
Start with reading MISTAKES then move on to NO BIG DEAL
What is called for now is CORRECTION
Doing stupid things, being Irresponsible or grossly negligent and harmful have consequences.
YES this could be a big deal or just some drama lama
Instead of the emphasis and banging on about it, make some Real proper Changes by replacing it with GET ON WITH IT.
No need to do a post mortem, phone a friend, tell mum, make it a joke when it is not, or circulate chitta chat on Social Media.
This goes for any nonsense that you have created
Just SHARPEN UP
When we take the SHARPEN UP into our daily life and make it an Important movement, we will be given the next steps of what is needed. Our job is to just GET ON WITH IT without Perfection.
Ambling around, bumbling about and doing our nicey Nice laise faire behaviour is not the way to go.
This is last season, last century and way out of date
It is high time for Real Change and it starts with SHARPEN UP
SHARPEN UP really does mean cutting through the illusion, the mess and the dis–order and un–necessary Chaos created in ALL areas of life and taking the necessary Action.
Never spend a nano second in Regret or guilt or any other nonsense.
Doing stupid things repeatedly confirms that growing up is needed.
The fun part gets Boring and we need some maturity
The answer is super Simple … SHARPEN UP
Time to grow up as the World is waiting for TRUE Role Models.
The Universe is currently interviewing new recruits to support all those that have lost their way in life.
Dear World
It is official, our World is in a mess and most of us have no Roadmap of where to start and how to live daily life with so much going on at great speed.
Our breathing is out and off and we feel un–settled most of the time.
We are yet to be educated that when we Avoid, Ignore, bury, deny or simply don’t deal with our issues, we are just parking them to the side where it intensifies and that means even worse outcomes await us.
We all deserve to live a life that truly has meaning and purpose, where we are not seeking the next stimulation or a momentary reward that never lasts and we just want More.
Getting Back to Basics has enormous benefits to our true Health and Well-Being.
The author is the living science that can be studied, that when we Stop the looking outside for anything and settle with what needs attending to and make Back to Basics a PRIORITY in everyday life, miracles happen and it comes with zero effort or emphasis.
There is Another Way2 and Simple Living Global after a decade of presenting on this website are consistent in sharing this for ALL of humanity.
References
(1) (n.d). Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved March 28, 2026 from
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sharpen-up
(2) (n.d). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved March 28, 2026 from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharpen%20up