Sharpen the Saw - Mental Dimension
This week we are going to look at the Mental Dimension for Covey’s “Sharpen the Saw”. But the mental dimension isn’t just formal education. It is about how we learn after school. One of the best ways is to read books (or if you are slow reader, listen to audiobooks). Other ways to learn are through uni. Additionally, you could start taking classes in things you are interested in.
Sharpen the Saw
This week we are going to look at one of our favourite Habits…Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. It is the process of enhancing and preserving your greatest asset...YOU! Covey describes 4 dimensions of renewal:Physical, Social/Emotional, Spiritual and Mental. This week we will look at the physical dimension. This involves caring for your body by exercising, eating the right foods getting enough rest.
Synergise
Covey defines synergy as simply the whole be greater than the sum of the parts.
Communicating synergistically involves opening you hear and expressions to new options, new alternative and new possibilities. It leads to win/win solutions.
In order to communicate synergistically it is important to value the differences between people. A key to this is realizing that all people see the world, not as it is, but as they are. This is realizing that two people can disagree but both can be right.
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
How do you listen? Think about recent conversations you have with a friends, family or colleagues.
Do you try and solve their problems? Do you see their experience through your own paradigms? Do you give advice based on your own feelings and experiences? Try understanding first. It is really hard to do but give it a try. It is hard to break existing habits but communication is the key to relationships.
Think Win/Win - Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Covey proposed 6 types of human interactions
Win/Win
Win/Lose
Lose/Win
Lose/Lose
Win
Win/Win or No deal
What kind of interactions do you have?
Do you need others to lose so you can win?
Do you let people walk all over you and let them win all the time while you loose?
Do you act out of spite so both of you lose?
Do you always want to win?
Do you only accept Win/Win?
Do you have what it takes to achieve win/win situations?
Do you have integrity, maturity and a sense of abundance?
Can you see things from another’s point of view?