Sharpen the Saw (Stephen Covey)
Sharpen the Saw: Investing in Yourself to Lead with Strength and Sustainability
Principle: Preserve and enhance the greatest asset you have—you.
Behaviors: Invest in your physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Make time for renewal and recreation. See personal development as an ongoing journey.
Stephen Covey’s habit Sharpen the Saw serves as a powerful reminder that your greatest asset is you. In a world that celebrates hustle, constant activity, and endless productivity, it’s easy to overlook the importance of caring for your own well-being. Yet sustainable leadership, meaningful relationships, and long-term success all depend on your ability to renew, restore, and grow. Sharpening the saw means proactively investing in yourself so you can show up with clarity, energy, and resilience.
At its core, this principle recognizes that you are a whole person — not just a worker or a leader. Covey identifies four essential dimensions that must be nurtured: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. Strengthening each area creates balance and fuels your ability to contribute at the highest level.
A key behavior is to invest in your physical well-being. This includes sleep, exercise, nutrition, and movement — the foundational elements that influence your energy, focus, and longevity. When your body is cared for, everything else improves.
Another essential behavior is to strengthen your social and emotional well-being. Healthy relationships, meaningful connection, and emotional awareness all contribute to stability and joy. Spending time with loved ones, practicing gratitude, and nurturing supportive relationships replenish your emotional reserves and deepen your sense of belonging.
Your mental well-being also requires ongoing investment. Lifelong learning, reading, challenging your mind, and expanding your skills keep you sharp and adaptable. Mental growth prevents stagnation and empowers you to meet new challenges with confidence.
Finally, Sharpen the Saw encourages you to nurture your spiritual well-being — the dimension that gives your life meaning and purpose. This could involve meditation, reflection, time in nature, faith practices, or anything that helps you connect to your deepest values. When your spirit is aligned and grounded, the rest of your life becomes more intentional and fulfilling.
Leaders who prioritize renewal understand that rest is not a reward — it’s a requirement. Making time for recreation, reflection, and personal development is not selfish; it’s strategic. It ensures that you can continue contributing at a high level without burning out.
Sharpening the saw is a lifelong journey. When you consistently invest in your whole self, you expand your capacity to lead, serve, and thrive.
Recommended Resources
Books
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey (Spotify Premium Audiobook)
