The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Blog Series: Habit Seven- Sharpen the Saw

In today’s fast-paced world, we often focus so much on productivity that we forget to focus on the most important resource of all: ourselves. That’s where Habit 7- Sharpen the Saw comes in. Stephen Covey’s principle encourages us to take a step back and regularly renew our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By sharpening our “saw” we work smarter and not harder. We improve our overall effectiveness and lay the foundation for lasting success. Let’s break down how you can apply this habit into your daily life.

• Physical Dimension

The physical dimension focuses on taking care of our body through exercise and nutrition. This requires a well-balanced diet and mindful eating. If we do not plan or create a balanced diet, we might fall into the habit of mindless eating, which can be eating foods of low nutritional value, snacking excessively without awareness, and eating out of boredom rather than actual hunger.

Exercise is also a key aspect of the physical dimension. It is important to create exercise routines that are based on improving endurance, flexibility and strength.

Endurance exercises involve cardio, aerobics, swimming, biking, jogging, and running. According to Covey, to be minimally fit, your heart rate needs to increase sixty percent of your maximum pulse rate for at least one hundred beats per minute for thirty minutes. The maximum heart rate is 220 less than your age. So, if you are 34 years old, you should aim for an exercise heart rate of 112 bpm (220-34=186 x 0.6=111.6).  

Flexibility involves stretching and recovery. This can be done before a workout and post work out for the muscles to recover. Yoga is a great way to stretch, and mobility exercises also help with sore and stiff muscles.

Strength exercises are a great way to build muscle and strength. Simple and challenging at home calisthenics exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges and sit ups are great full body strength building exercises.

To create an exercise routine, you do not need to spend hours at the gym nor is it necessary. At home workouts can be just as effective, it is about consistency and creating a weekly workout routine and sticking to it.

Spiritual Dimension

The way you practice your spirituality and your beliefs is deeply personal and unique to you, yet it plays a vital role in shaping your core values and how you connect with others. Whether through prayer, meditation, spending time in nature, attending religious services, or a combination of these, spiritual renewal is about engaging in practices that uplift, inspire and bring you comfort, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. It is a space where you find meaning, peace, and a sense of purpose.

Mental Dimension

The mental dimension encourages us to continue learning, stay curious and actively engage our minds. This can be achieved through activities like reading, writing, or taking classes that spark our interest. In today’s world, where social media often fills every available moment, it is important to make a conscious effort to invest time in expanding our knowledge and exploring new ideas.

Social/Emotional Dimension

The social dimension focuses on cultivating meaningful, deep connections with family and friends. This requires dedicating quality time to our loved ones and being fully present, both emotionally and physically. It also invites us to contribute to the common good by serving others, rather than focusing solely on our own interests and benefits.

The emotional dimension emphasizes stress management and maintaining emotional balance. When we struggle to manage stress or fail to nurture relationships, it not only harms our well-being but also affects the quality of our connections with others.

 Overall, Habit Seven: Sharpen the Saw is essential for personal fulfillment and well-being. It is key to prevent burnout and finding deeper meaning in both what we do and how we connect with others. As the famous saying goes, “You cannot help others until you put your own oxygen mask on first”.

If you are feeling burned out, or struggling to find balance in your daily life, reach out to the team of professionals at Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. on 708-633-8000. We are located at: 6819-167 th St. in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Mariana Rodriguez Graduate Intern, 2025.

Reference:

Covey, S. R. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change (25th anniversary ed.). Simon & Schuster