Sharpen the Saw HABIT #7

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Keep your personal self sharp Body Brain Heart Soul Balance is better All things in moderation Take time for a time-out Take time to rejuvenate Relax Treat yourself with tender loving care

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Body You are what you eat  Follow the pyramid guidelines  Listen to your body  Pay careful attention to how different foods make you feel and from that make your own list of “do’s” and “don’ts”  Be moderate and avoid extremes Use it or lose it  Exercise daily  Good for your heart and lungs  Good for giving you a shot of energy, melting away stress, and clearing your mind It’s all about how you feel, not how you look  Care for your body  We all have different body types—be YOUR best

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Body I can quit whenever I want  Ways to destroy your body  Alcohol  Tobacco  Drugs You are no longer in control—your addiction is The refusal skill: 1. Ask questions 2. Name the trouble 3. State the consequences 4. Suggest an alternative 5. Take off

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Brain Sharpen your mind  Experience life  Read  Play  Listen Find your niche  Find what makes you who you are  Find your talents and skills Mental barriers  Nerd syndrome—it is not cool to be smart (so NOT true)  Screentime--time spent in front of a screen (TV, computer, video game)  Pressure—once you are doing well, it is expected that you will always do well

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Brain Don’t let school get in the way of your education  Education and learning take place everywhere  Grades are important—learning is more important Post-High School educational options  What are admissions offices and companies looking at?  Desire  Standardized test scores  Extracurricular activities  Letters of recommendation  Grade point average  Communication skills You have to want it!!

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Heart Relationships and Sex You’re will make it  Normal to feel depressed on occasion  Depression is a serious illness Laugh or you will cry  Laughter:  Loosens up mental gears and helps us think more creatively  Helps us cope with difficulties  Reduces stress levels  Connects us with others  Releases endorphins, nature’s natural painkillers

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Soul Feed your soul  Meditating  Serving others  Writing in a journal  Drawing  Praying  Listening to music Get back to nature  Take a hike  Go to the beach

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Soul A teen’s best friend  Write in a journal or diary Your spiritual diet  Do you go to church regularly?  What do you read? Listen to? Sleep  Do you keep your cell phone next to your bed?  Do you keep your computer on with twitter or FaceBook going all night? Get Real  Time for everything  Down time is necessary for balance and perspective

Habit #7—Sharpen the Saw Keep hope alive!! It begins with a single step Don’t get discouraged You are destined for great things The power and light is within you “you can’t make footprints in the sands of time by sitting on your butt. And, who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?” ~Bob Moawad