Sharpen The Saw

“Sharpening the Saw” is a phrase from the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. The “saw” in this metaphor refers to oneself, and “sharpening the saw” refers to taking care of oneself in four different areas: physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional.

The idea behind “Sharpening the Saw” is that in order to be effective, one must maintain and improve one’s own abilities and well-being in these four areas.

• Physical: This includes taking care of the body through regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep.
• Spiritual: This includes connecting to a higher power, developing a sense of purpose and meaning, and finding inner peace.
• Mental: This includes continuous learning, reading, and other activities that engage the mind.
• Social/Emotional: This includes connecting with others, developing healthy relationships, and managing emotions.

Sharpening the saw means balancing and renewing the four dimensions of our nature, in a regular and systematic way, so that we can create a sustainable and high-performance life. By taking the time to “sharpen the saw” in these four areas, one can become more effective and efficient in achieving their goals and leading a fulfilling life.