Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw From The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Sep 27, 2023 Β· 2 mins read
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This habit is taking time to sharpen the saw. It surrounds the other habits on the seven habits paradigm because it is the habit that makes all the others possible. It contains the four dimensions of renewal, it's about preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have - you.
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The four dimensions of your nature are physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional. Sharpening the saw basically means exercising all four dimensions of our nature, regularly and consistently in wise and balanced ways.
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The act of sharpening the saw falls under Quadrant II. Although not urgent, it is still vital, therefore it won't happen on its own. To make it happen, you must be proactive and give it top importance. Sharpening a saw yields an exponential return on the time and effort invested.
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The Physical Dimension:
It involves caring effectively for our physical body, eating the right kind of foods, getting sufficient rest, and exercising on a regular basis. It's a high-leverage activity that most of us don't do consistently.
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A good exercise program is one that you can do in your own home and one that will build your body in three areas: endurance, flexibility, and strength. 3-6 hours a week that's all we need to gain tremendous benefits in terms of impact on the other 162-165 hours of the week.
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Spiritual Dimension: It is your core, your center, your commitment to your value system. It's defined as the need for a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. Our lives feel empty and meaningless without them, and we begin to feel alienated. It's highly related to habit 2.
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Mental dimension: This dimension can be easily increased by engaging in book reading and studying fresh subjects. The most effective approach is to read books that are above your understanding level so that you can learn something new every time you read a book.
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Listening to stimulating podcasts, taking an online course, joining a discussion club, and so on are all excellent ways to improve your mental dimension. Consuming this kind of content can powerfully influence us in very subtle ways.
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The Social/Emotional Dimension: It is all about making genuine social connections with other people. Several studies have found that socialization is quite useful in lowering stress. It allows you to discover new things and share your thoughts with others.
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Successfully renewing ourselves in all four areas results in actual change in our lives. It assists us by increasing our ability to deal with all of life's most difficult problems, which would be impossible without this regeneration.
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