PsyNet
The Seventh Habit of Highly Effective People:
'Sharpen the Saw' - Principles of Balanced Self-renewal
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A woodcutter worked feverishly cutting down trees and refused to take a break even when the saw has become dull. When his friend suggested he should take a rest and sharpen the saw, he replied: "I'm too busy to sharpen the saw!"
With the increasing demand and workload of police work, our colleagues often overlook the importance of self-care. This will inevitably have a negative impact on our physical and mental health, which minimises the work efficiency. More time and effort is therefore spent on coping with work demands, resulting in lack of time for adequate rest. Stephen Covey, author of the book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", argued that in order to increase productivity and quality of life, we have to begin from the basic, i.e. taking good care of ourselves and seeking opportunities to renew ourselves continuously. Covey formulated a balanced plan for renewing the physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of our nature.
The physical dimension involves taking care of your body - eating the right foods, getting enough rest and relaxation, and exercising on a regular basis.
The social/emotional dimension focuses on the principles of personal leadership, empathetic communication and creative co-operation.
For the mental dimension, it's important to keep your mind sharp by reading, writing, organising and planning. Read broadly and expose yourself to great minds.
The spiritual dimension is your centre - your commitment to your value system. It draws upon the sources that inspire and uplift you and tie you to timeless truth of humanity.
Lastly, Covey reminded us of the importance of a balanced self-renewal. Neglecting any one area would negatively impact the rest.
Remember, taking effort and time for self-care and self-renewal is essential to equip yourself for challenges.
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