The 4 Dimensions Of Renewal And How They Can Affect You

In Stephen R. Covey’s timeless book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he emphasizes the importance of renewal. His seventh habit, Sharpen the Saw, is all about renewal. It’s a vital element of a productive life.

He begins with an analogy of a man who is working feverishly to cut down a tree. He’s been at it for over 5 hours. However, when asked if he should take a few minutes to sharpen the saw, he replies, “I don’t have time to sharpen the saw, I’m too busy sawing.”

Sharpening our saw takes time. It requires us to analyze what we need to improve to help our lives run more smoothly—better tools, better training, more practice, more study—and then we need to set aside time to ensure it all happens. It’s an investment in ourselves—the single most important investment we can ever make. It enables us to approach each day renewed and prepared for whatever it may bring.

We can track the four dimensions of personal renewal in our planners and make sure we address each area regularly.

Physical

How often have you arrived home from work tired only to find a house full of people eager to share their day with you? At times like these we wish we had just a bit more stamina. As we set goals to exercise regularly we will find that we have added strength and energy. As we age, we notice that we can’t do as much as we would like to do because we tire too quickly before the end of the day. Some of this is normal, but it can be improved with consistent exercise. Just a few hours of total exercise each week can lead to several hours of renewed stamina, so we can focus our time doing what matters most. As you plan, set aside time throughout the week to exercise, whether it’s walking, hiking, jogging, or strength training.

Mental

Our minds need the same sort of exercise as our muscles. We need to stretch and expand our minds. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. has said, “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” Make time to dive into a good book, look up tutorials on YouTube, develop a hobby, and simply visualize your future. Planning is a great mental exercise that allows you to visualize events and sequence the steps required to accomplish them.

Spiritual

What makes you tick? How strong is your moral compass? Are the values that motivate your actions sufficiently strong? These are all good things to consider as you plan to renew your spiritual dimension. This happens in different ways for different people. Some spend time in nature, others in church. Some read scriptures, others read poetry. Some go to confession, while others write their challenges in the sand and wait for the tide to wash them away. All of these things can help us renew ourselves spiritually. Find what works for you and schedule it often.

Social/Emotional

The social and emotional dimension of renewal doesn’t require us to set aside time, but it still requires effort. It requires that we listen with empathy, that we work together to find solutions to problems that all parties involved can agree upon, and it requires us to check ourselves. The way we relate to others has a lot to do with how we feel about ourselves. The way we feel about ourselves often comes back to how true we are living to our internal values.

As you take time to sharpen your saw, be sure to focus on all four dimensions of renewal, because they are all interrelated and dependent on each other. And don’t let the cares of the day prevent you from improving and strengthening your skill set. After all, YOU are your greatest asset.