Article – Sharpen the Saw

(from newsletter Aug/Sept 2004)

Habit number 7, in Steven Covey’s Seven Habits for Highly Effective People, is Sharpen the Saw. He tells the story of a woodchopper, who is so busy chopping, chopping, chopping, and does not stop to take a break. He doesn’t seem to be achieving progress as the day goes on. He is asked if he has stopped and sharpened his saw, but he says he is too busy chopping!

How are you doing in the “sharpen the saw” habit lately?

The owners/ managers of one company I know, have a policy to take a one week break every six weeks. They say they know they need to do this, to keep energized and focused and successful in business.

Covey says you need to renew 4 dimensions of your nature – physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional.

So what are you doing to “sharpen your saw”? It doesn’t have to be a holiday away, it could be as simple to a committed one day off, a walk, lunch with a friend, a massage or facial, meditation or a yoga class. Go on, what works for you to ‘sharpen your saw’. You need it, and you deserve it. So just do it!

Written by Barbara Anderson.

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