Sharpen the Saw

Key Points:

Habit 7 is taking the 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.

Four Dimensions of Renewal

Habit 7 is preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have- you. It's renewing the four dimensions of your nature- physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional.
This is the single most powerful investment we can ever make in life- invest in ourselves, in the only investment we have with which to deal with life and to contribute. We are the instruments of our own performance, and to be effective, we need to recognize the importance of taking time regularly to sharpen the saw in all four ways.

Physical Dimension

Caring for our physical body either in endurance, flexibility, and strength.

Spiritual Dimension

Immersion in great literature or great music can provide a similar renewal of the spirit for some. If one's motives are wrong, nothing can be right. It makes no difference whether you are a mailman, a hairdresser, an insurance salesman, a housewife- whatever. As long as you feel you are serving others, you do the job well. When you are concerned only with helping yourself, you do it less effectively.
The idea is that when we take time to draw on the leadership center of our lives, what life is ultimately all about, it spreads like an umbrella over everything else. It renews us, it refreshes us, particularly if we reconnect to it.

Mental Dimension

Education is a vital mental reward. Continuing education, continually honing and expanding your mind. Sometimes that involves the external discipline of the classroom or systematized study programs; more often it does not. Proactive people can figure out many, many ways to educate themselves.
"The person who doesn't read is no better off than the person who can't read."

Social/Emotional Dimension

This section fully involves our personal security. It comes from within. It comes from accurate paradigms and correct principles deep in our own mind and heart. It comes from inside-out congruence, from living a life of integrity in which our daily habits reflect our deepest values. A life of integrity is the most fundamental source of personal worth. Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.
"Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth."

Comments

Chase The Lion

Summary: In the first chapter of Chase the Lion, it speaks of a mighty warrior back in the time of David when he was ruling king. This mighty warrior was Benaiah, and he chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day. His actions on this day is the main theme of the book. You have to imagine yourself chasing a lion into a snowy pit to kill it. How insane do you have to be to do that? In a way, this true story is a parable for our lives in how we should treat that lion like a big dream. There are two types of courage; regular courage and two-o-clock in the morning courage. The two-o-clock in the morning courage has a sense of urgency and crazy to it. We are all one action, one risk, or one decision away from a life-altering moment. At times we are so busy climbing the ladder of success that we fail to realize that it is leaning against the wrong wall. Most people believe in God, but they continue to allow circumstances to get between them and God instead of letting God get b...

5 Dimensions of Win/Win

Key Points: It begins with character and moves toward relationships, out of which flow agreements. It is nurtured in an environment where structure and systems are based on Win/Win. And it involves process; we cannot achieve Win/Win ends with Win/Lose or Lose/Win means. Character There are three character traits essential to the Win/Win paradigm. Integrity, Maturity, Abundance Mentality. Integrity is the values we place ourselves into. Maturity is the balance between courage and consideration. Abundance Mentality is the paradigm that there is plenty out there for everybody. A character rich in integrity, maturity, and the Abundance Mentality has a genuineness that goes far beyond technique, or lack of it, in human interaction. If we search deeply enough within ourselves-beyond the scripting, beyond the learned attitudes and behaviors- the real validation of Win/Win, as well as every other correct principle, is in our lives. Relationshi...

The Templeton Plan: Step 16

The Templeton Plan is written for those who consider themselves students in the school of total success. It is suggested that you devote yourself to one step each day, over a period of three weeks, Each step should be studied carefully until the following questions can be answered in a satisfactory and thorough manner: What do these ideas really mean? How do they apply to my own life? How can I use their meaning in achieving success? Step 16: Maximizing The Power Of Your Faith Successful and happy people will try to express their empathy in all circumstances. This means putting yourself inside the minds and hearts of others and feeling the effect your words and attitudes will have on them. It is wise to say, give me the courage to improve what I can improve, the patience to endure what I cannot improve, and the wisdom to tell the difference between the two. "Never write down what you don't want published. Whatever you say or write should be intended to...

Thanks...My Pleasure

Search This Blog