7 Habits of Highly Effective People Habit of the Week

Habit 7 is Sharpen the Saw. It is the habit of renewal. To maintain and increase our effectiveness, we must renew ourselves in body, heart, mind, and soul. This improves our capacity, builds stronger relationships, and allows for continuous improvement. Building greater reserves builds the strength we need for those hard moments when we need to show the grit, determination, and patience that are the hallmarks of a strong character.

Sharpening the Saw is what a lumberjack must do in order to cut wood efficiently and effectively. The same applies to the scissors of the seamstress, the paintbrushes of the painter, and the tools of the craftsman. Studying this habit brings to mind the story of the goose and the golden eggs.

Taking care of the goose will ensure the continued yield of golden eggs. Taking care of ourselves is an investment. It takes time, planning, and commitment. Do you recall the lessons of earlier habits? Get out of the urgency quadrant by reducing stress. Eat well and exercise to ensure physical strength and energy. Get enough sleep, and never let the things that matter least take precedence over the things that matter the most.

Dr. Covey asks us to assume, for a moment, that we’ve had a heart attack in the last month. How would you approach exercise and nutrition? We all know the basic facts about healthy living, but do we REALLY take the time to incorporate these valuable habits into our daily routines? Sharpening the Saw means taking the time for oneself, to make a commitment to care better for our most valued relationships by ensuring we are optimizing our own spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health.