Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Contributed by Melissa Cooper, CAP-OM,PLS
Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw, surrounds the other habits because it makes them possible through personal renewal. Sharpening the Saw perserves and enhances the greatest assest you have – YOU. It is renewal of the four dimensions of your nature – Physical, Spiritual, Mental, and Social/Emotional.
All four dimensions must be exercised regularly and consistently. Taking time to sharpen the saw in all four dimensions is a Quadrant II activity (see Habit 3), and it is something we must do for ourselves. And while renewal in each dimension is important, neglecting any one area negatively impacts the others.
The Physical Dimension. The physical dimension includes effectively caring for our physical body. Activites would include eating the right kinds of foods, getting enough rest, relaxation, and exercising on a regular basis. One benefit of exercising is developing the Habit 1 muscle of proactivity. Exercise is a Quadrant II activity that most of us don’t do regularly because it isn’t urgent. However, we may find ourselves sooner or later dealing with health issues (Quadrant I) because we didn’t exercise (Quadrant II). A good exercise program can be done in your own home and builds your body in three areas: strength (muscle resistance exercise such as push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups), endurance (aerobic exercise cardiovascular efficiencyyour heart’s ability to pump blood through your body), and flexibility (stretching/warming up and cooling down after aerobic exercise). We should be careful, though, to not overdo it when beginning an exercise program.
The Spiritual Dimension. The Spiritual Dimension is a very private area and important area of life, drawing on the sources that inspire and uplift us. Closely related to Habit 2, people do this dimension very differently. It is your core, your center, your commitment to your value system.
The Mental Dimension. Much of our mental development comes through formal education, and many let their minds atrophy once this formal education is complete. Those who stop once their formal education is done don’t do any more serious rending, don’t explore new subjects in any real depth, don’t think analytically, and don’t write. Instead they spend their time in front of the TV, which is a good servant but poor master. We must practice Habit 3 and effectively manage ourselves to maximize the use of any resource in accomplishing our goals and missions. Continuing education may involve the external displine of the classroom or structured study programs; however, proactive people can figure out many other ways to educate themselves. Some of these ways may include reading quality literature, writing (journaling thoughts, experiences, insights, and learnings), organizing and planning.
The Social/Emotional Dimension. The Social/Emotional Dimension focuses on Habits 4, 5 and 6 (Public Victories), while the other dimensions (Physical, Spiritual, and Mental) focus on Habits 1, 2 and 3 (Personal Victories). Success in Habits 4, 5 and 6 is not primarily related to intellect – it’s a matter of emotion and is highly related to our sense of personal security. If our personal security comes from inside ourselves, we have the strength to practice Habits 4, 5 and 6 (Public Victory). Our security shouldn’t come from what others think of us or how they treat us; it should come from within us.
Synergy in Renewal
The more proactive you are (Habit 1), the more effectively you can exercise personal leadership (Habit 2) and personal management (Habit 3) in your life. The more effectively you manage your life (Habit 3), the more Quadrant II renewing activites you can do (Habit 7). The more you seek first to understand (Habit 5), the more effectively you can go for synergetic Win/Win solutions (Habits 4 and 6). The more you improve in any of the habits that lead to independence (Habits 1, 2 and 3), the more effective you will be in interdependent situations (Habits 4, 5 and 6). And renewal (Habit 7) is the process of renewing all the habits. We must continually grow and develop on an upward spiral – the process of Learn, Commit, and Do.
“Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued progress.” Stephen Covey
*All quotes and ideas are from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
