Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Sharpen the Saw is one of the seven habits from Stephen Covey’s book. This habit reminds us to maintain a balanced life by caring for our physical, emotional, social, mental, and spiritual well-being. Just like a knife needs to be sharpened to cut well, people also need time to rest, recharge, and refresh their minds. We are not machines that can work non-stop.

Covey’s quote, “We must never become too busy sawing to take time to sharpen the saw,” shows us that taking care of ourselves is not a waste of time, but a wise investment. Sometimes we are so busy chasing deadlines, joining competitions, and trying to impress others that we forget to check in with ourselves. We forget to ask simple questions like “Am I okay?” or “Am I tired?”

As ELT students, especially those living far from family, this habit is very relevant. Long classes, tasks, and meetings can lead us to forget meals, drink less water, stop exercising, and lose joy in things we love. Some may even feel lonely and stressed. This is when we need to pause and sharpen the saw.

The values in this habit include self-awareness, balance, responsibility, and personal growth. A good English teacher is not just skilled in speaking, but also full of patience, clarity, and positive energy. To become that person, we must first take care of ourselves. When we do, we can inspire our students to also live healthy and meaningful lives.