Habit 7

Sharpen the Saw

It’s Me Time

Sharpen the saw?

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 4 key areas– The Body– The Brain– The Heart– The Soul

Balance all 4 areas

If your tires are out of balance, all 4 will not wear evenly– It’s hard to be friendly (heart) when you’re

exhausted (body)– When you are motivated and in tune with yourself

(soul) , it’s easier to focus on your studies (mind) and to be more friendly (heart)

The Physical Dimension

Exercise, eat healthy, sleep well and relax– Eat healthy food -take walks– Relax in the tub -stretch out– Bike -do aerobics– Lift weights -practice yoga– Get enough sleep -play sports

You are what you eat

Eat in moderation Don’t travel between rabbit food and junk

food all the time Drink water Food affects mood, so eat with care

Use it or lose it

Choose an activity that you enjoy doing and don’t dread

Try to get 30 minutes of exercise 3x/week Good way to relieve stress and clear your

mind

It’s all about how you feel and not how you look in the mirror or the weight on the scale

Don’t get too obsessed with your appearance There are many successful people who do

not have perfect bodies It is more important to feel good physically If you struggle with an eating disorder, don’t

feel alone “You have to change your perception. It’s

not about weight, it’s caring for yourself daily”

Caring for your brain

Sharpen your mind Getting a good education may be the most

important thing you can do Develop brain power through schooling,

extracurricular activities, hobbies, jobs, and other mind enlarging activities

Sharpen your mind

Read a newspaper everyday

Travel Plant a garden Visit a library

Write a story Solve puzzles Play an instrument debate

Caring for your Heart

Put regular deposits into your personal and relationship bank accounts

Relationships- Just laugh- sometimes life just stinks and

there’s not much you can do about it, so laugh

Laughter

Loosens up the mental gears and helps us think more creatively

Helps us cope with the difficulties in life Reduces stress levels Relaxes us by lowering HR and BP Releases endorphins the brain’s natural pain

killers

Caring for your Soul

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

A preteen’s best friend

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

Make time to renew

You are already doing many things to renew All of it won’t just happen though, you have

to be proactive