Sharpening The Saw – My Favorite Habit of Highly Effective People

I'm writing today from my hotel room in gorgeous Wildwood, New Jersey. That's right, I'm sharpening my saw. Not sure what that's about? Then you clearly have never read one of the best books out there, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I first read this book in my twenties and it was such a huge eye opener for me.

Dr. Covey gives you a format that you can apply to your business, family and personal lives. You can apply the 7 habits to every situation you encounter and it will help you to make the best possible choices. My husband and I often quote particular habits when we are struggling with a decision. Bill's favorite is "seek first to understand." This habit reminds him to cool his temper and to try to look at an event from the other party's perspective and to try to understand why they are doing or saying what they are doing.

As I sit here on my vacation, I have to admit that the 7th habit -Sharpen the Saw – is my personal favorite. It reminds the workaholic, driven people of the world that all work and no play not only makes you dull, it makes you less effective. By taking time to rest and recharge your batteries not only on the occasional vacation, but during each day, you actually make yourself more productive. Not to mention happier

So I am going to head off to sharpen my saw a bit on the beach while I read a completely fluff chick-lit book.

If you do not currently take some time to sharpen the saw, I highly recommend that you start. For those of you who have already discovered the benefits of taking time for you, what do you do to relax and recharge?