“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10, NKJV). A dull ax can still cut, eventually, with enough force. But wisdom would simply sharpen it first.
This is a picture of unnecessary effort, brute force compensating for a lack of preparation that wisdom would have addressed directly.
It’s worth asking where you’ve been using more strength than necessary simply because you haven’t taken time to sharpen the tool, skill, or approach first.
What dull ax in your own life is currently requiring more strength than it should, that a little wisdom and preparation could sharpen instead?