Application Suggestions

1. Think about a person who typically sees things differently than you do. Consider ways in

which those differences might be used as stepping-stones to Third Alternative solutions. Perhaps you

could seek out his or her views on a current project or problem, valuing the different views you are

likely to hear.

2. Make a list of people who irritate you. Do they represent different views that could lead to

synergy if you had greater intrinsic security and valued the differences.

3. Identify a situation in which you desire greater teamwork and synergy. What conditions

would need to exist to support synergy? What can you do to create those conditions.

4. The next time you have a disagreement or confrontation with someone, attempt to understand

the concerns underlying that person's position. Address those concerns in a creative and mutually

beneficial way.

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE Brought to you by FlyHeart Part Four -- RENEWAL

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw TM

Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things.... I am

tempted to think...there are no little things.

-- Bruce Barton

* *

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.

"What are you doing?" you ask.

"Can't you see?" comes the impatient reply. "I'm sawing down this tree."

"You look exhausted!" you exclaim. "How long have you been at it?"

"Over five hours," he returns, "and I'm beat! This is hard work."

"Well, why don't you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen the saw?" you inquire. "I'm sure it would go a lot faster."

"I don't have time to sharpen the saw," the man says emphatically. "I'm too busy sawing!"

Habit 7 is taking 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.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 960