This habit is always a struggle for me. The habit of renewal – which means you have to slow your roll and be intentional.
How about you? What part of habit seven is the most difficult?
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This habit is all about taking care of YOU!
If you don’t stop and take care of yourself, you will not be able to take care of anything or anyone else. Care for yourself physically, mentally, spiritually and socially/emotionally. Physically – This is about renewal, not personal records. Focus on: Mentally – This is about keeping the mind sharp by reading, writing, learning and teaching others. You must act intentionally in order to sharpen your saw mentally. Spiritually – This is not really about religion, though worship practice is a part of spiritual renewal, but rather it is about your values, where you serve the community around you, consuming inspirational literature and meditating. Socially/Emotionally – This is all about consistent deposits into your emotional bank account. We are social and communal creatures. Community is a basic need for all of us. You will fill others buckets in this area often, but you need someone to fill your bucket also. Find those friendships and communities that you can contribute to but that also fill you. |
Habit Seven – Sharpen the Saw
I read The 7 Habits in 2013 when I had just returned from a 7-year working holiday teaching English in Thailand. It was my first corporate America job and I was a training facilitator. I want to say that I think the 7th habit is my favorite. I like all the habits but this is the one that completes the set by making it a Loop of sorts.
Having to slow my roll and be intentional is a challenge for me. I am outgoing and even spontaneous by nature. So, for me, this all comes together in making time to do some yoga or even better meditation. Finding time to reset, quiet the mind, listen to my body, and focus on order. I never remember the power of this until just after I have done it.
In the early 90’s, I had the privilege of becoming certified in the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” [at their training facility in Salt Lake City, Utah]. I worked in a chemical plant as a Technical Trainer and as a part of my responsibilities facilitated numerous sessions of all 7 habits. Now, that I “aged” myself. 🙂 Terry