Habit 7Sharpen the Saw

It’s Me Time

Think about someone who irritates you.

What is different about them? What can you learn about them?

Write a journal entry answering the questions above. When you’re done writing your entry, get the 7 Habits

book and return to your seat.

Bell Ringer: Celebrate Differences

Habit 1◦ Be Proactive

Habit 2◦ Begin With The End In Mind

Habit 3◦ Put First Things First

Habit 4◦ Think Win-Win

Habit 5◦ Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood

Habit 6◦ Synergize

Review

Definition:

Renew yourself regularly

Sometimes we are too busy to take time to do the things we need to do to keep fresh.

We need to regularly renew and strengthen four key areas.◦ The Body – The Physical Dimension◦ The Brain – The Mental Dimension◦ The Heart – The Emotional Dimension◦ The Soul – The Spiritual Dimension

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Tires on a car◦ If one tire is out of balance,

all four tires wear unevenly. It’s really hard to be in a

good mood (emotional) when you’re so tired (physical).

Also, when you are in tune with yourself (spiritual), it is easier to stay focused on your school work (mental).

Balance Is Better

Taking care of your body is important

There are 4 key ingredients to a healthy body:◦ Good sleeping habits◦ Physical relaxation◦ Good nutrition◦ Proper exercise

The Physical Dimension

It’s all about how you feel, not how you look.

The Physical Dimension

There are also ways to destroy your body. Using addictive substances such as alcohol,

drugs, and tobacco is a great way to destroy your body.

When you become addicted, you are no longer in control—your addiction is!

I Can Quit Whenever I Want

Sharpen your mind Receiving a good education can be the most

important thing you ever do Education is an investment in your future.

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

-Derek Bok, former president of Harvard University

The Mental Dimension

There are hundreds of ways to sharpen your mind. Here are a few:

Sharpen Your Mind

• Read the newspaper everyday

• Travel• Plant a garden• Observe wildlife• Watch Discovery Channel• Visit the library• Listen to the news• Write a story, poem, or

song

• Play challenging board games

• Play sudoku or crosswords

• Play chess• Visit a museum• Attend a ballet, opera, or

play• Learn to play a musical

instrument

Screentime: Any time spent in front of a screen (i.e. computer, tv, video game, movie, etc.)

Nerd Syndrome: Not wanting to be the “brains” at school for fear of others not liking you because you’re smart or intimidating

Pressure: Afraid to bring home good grades because it will put pressure on you to do it again.

Mental Barriers to Sharpening Your Mind

Put regular deposits into your personal and relationship bank accounts

Sex & Relationships Just laugh…

◦ Sometime life just stinks and there’s not much we can do about it.

◦ One study showed that a Kindergartener laughs about 300 times a day. The typical adult laughs only 17 times a day.

◦ Laughing loosens up the mental gears, reduces stress levels, relaxes us, and lowers blood pressure.

The Emotional Dimension

Finding what deeply inspires you, finding your inner self where your deepest convictions and values are

How to feed your soul◦ Meditating◦ Serving others◦ Praying◦ Listening to music◦ Drawing◦ Praying◦ Going for a walk

The Spiritual Dimension

You can pour your heart out in your journal and it will sit there and listen. It won’t talk back!

A good way to clear your head become more self-aware.

You can read past entries to keep from making the same mistakes and to see how you have matured.

A Teen’s Best Friend

You are probably already doing many things to renew yourself◦ Working hard at school? That’s renewing your

mind!◦ In athletics or gym? That’s renewing your body!◦ Developing friendships? That’s renewing your

heart! Sharpening the saw won’t just happen. You

have to be proactive and work at it! Take the time to sharpen the saw in your

life!

You Can Do It!