Habit 7: Sharpen the
Saw
(Recharge! Renew yourself)
“It’s ME time!”
“Time to repair the roof while the sun
is still shining”
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Take time out for yourself BEFORE you
burn out!
Keep yourself sharp so that you can deal
with life
You can’t function well in life if you don’t
take care of yourself first.
“The most important person to keep alive is yourself!”
(The Guardian)
Areas of Life: BALANCE
Body
Mind
Heart
Soul
Realize…
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You cannot do well in the other areas of
your life if you don’t take care of your body
first, then your heart, then your mind, and
then your soul.
They build on one another: physical needs,
emotional needs, intellectual + moral
needs, spiritual needs.
Body
exercise right, eat properly, get enough
sleep
 exercise but don’t obsess
(Danger: comparing = eating disorders)
 stay clean (no drugs, no alcohol = can lead
to abuse)
 Listen to your body! (signals, messages)
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Mind/Brain
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Education: self-discipline + self-learning
Types of education: from parents, from
school, self-education
School = institution that gives you a diploma
(does it always mean discipline + learning?)
Grades aren’t everything; you can learn
outside the school
READING is the best way to educate your
mind
KEY TO EXERCISING THE MIND IS THE
DESIRE TO WANT TO LEARN.
Heart
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Build and develop relationships
There’s help out there for depression
LAUGH! It’s the best remedy!
PLAY! Be kids again!
Soul
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Values/principles + your source for inner peace
and meaning
Take time to renew yourself (P.B.A.)
Meditate: find your mission
 Serve others (small acts of kindness)
 Go for a peaceful walk
 Being in touch with nature
 Listen to music that soothes/calms you
 Keep a journal
Desiderata: http://www.fleurdelis.com/desiderata.htm
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Spiritual diet must consist of…
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Be aware of what you watch and listen to
on the radio, TV, in movies, on your
MP3/Ipod players. If it’s sending the wrong
messages, switch it off!
Avoid addiction: don’t become a frog in a
boiling pot of water
Addiction:
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Creates short-term pleasure
Becomes the main focus of your life
Temporarily eliminates pain
Gives an artificial sense of self-esteem,
power, control, security and intimacy
Makes the problems and feelings that you
try to escape worse
BOTTOM LINE:
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There is a time for everything; try to find a
balance
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MAKE SURE YOU TAKE the time to renew
yourself. FORCE YOURSELF if you need
to.
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Make this a priority in your life!
Revision:
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Habit 1
Habit 2
Habit 3
Habit 4
Habit 5
Habit 6
Habit 7 Renew yourself!