The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Sharpen the Saw)

Sharpen the saw

Four Dimensions of Self-Renewal: Physical, Mental, Spiritual, Social/Emotional

What I think this metaphor means is to practice. If you practice everyday then you'll be more experience that's what is means by sharpening the saw. It can be by any four social/emotional, spiritual, mental, or physical. Here is a physical example, if I practice everyday in soccer than more likely than not I will be better. By practicing it will increase my production on the field. I like this example on sports, but you can use it in education. Like when you're studying for that final exam, so you study all night. By studying all night you are sharpening the saw for the exam you are about to take. This is a great example because it shows how you can sharpen the saw physical or mentally. Spiritual example can be you studying your religion so you can be at peace with GOD. Another way to sharpen the saw socially and emotionally can be by helping out other so your emotions and their emotions are at peace. Theses examples are great because it shows you how to use them in the real world. 

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Synergize)

Synergize 

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts (1+1=3)"

Synergize is the habit of creative cooperation. It also means to be open minded and work as a team to work on solution to problems. This word is quite new to me never heard of it, but know that I have done some research its very important to be synergize. An example of synergize is any type of team. Every team has to be open minded towards new ideas and they also have to work as a team. This is a great example because are only as good as their worst player. By getting the others involved will help them grow to better players. I did not know what this word meant before, but now that I know it I want to use it my everyday life. This mentality of being synergize will my trait of being a leader. I would like that leader trait to be the strongest. Me being the leader will allow me to control my own destiny. I want the keys to the car and ride waves of reality. 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Seek first to understand, then to be understood)

Seek first to understand, then to be understood

"Diagnose before you prescribe."

What I think this means is, you should be good listener and learn what things are about before you start teaching other people. This is a great message because it shows how you should learn to be taught before teaching. I could remember a time when my coach told the whole team and said " I know you can play, anyone can play. It's a matter if you can understand the process". In many ways I seek first to understand when I am at school learning how to do something like an essay. Now that I know how to do an essay I can now teach people the basic structure of an essay. Some people like it the easy way. For example, when students talk during class then, when it comes to the test they don't know anything. They will often cheat on that test. I always want to learn because it gives me a greater chance to go to college. All in all what this means is just to listen first. I remember a great saying that everyone uses "Don't judge a book by it's cover". This means people need to get to know someone before they judge them. 

The 7 Habits of HIghly Effective People (Put first things first)

Put First Things First

"Organize and execute around priorities." 

Putting first things first is to be able to prioritize. To prioritize, is being able to organize your work so you can finish things timily. You always want to put priorities first because it helps get things done. It also allows you to have more free time. I always try to prioritize with my homework, I like to do my homework the day I get it. Doing this will allow me to have more  time on doing other things like hobbies. Many people have priorities maybe not for the best reasons, but they have priorities. I try to make my priorities the most important thing I need to do that day. A very young basketball player I watch has great priorities. In the offseason where some players go on vacation, there are players like Brandon Ingram who was working hard all offseason with a priority to be one of the leaders of the Lakers. He did improve on his leadership by being more vocal and making players accountable for their action. He's a great role model because he is a hard worker, humble, generous, and  has priorities. 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Think Win-Win)

Think Win-Win

"Think win-win or no deal."

You always want a mindset of winning. You never want to lose because then you're not succeeding in life. Having that mindset of winning will allow you have an advantage because now you'll have the confidence to win. Many that do have this mindset are usually the successful people. People that have this win win mindset usually win. For example, Kobe Bryant would always play even if he was injured. He would do this just because he wanted to win and had that win or win mindset. I try to have that same mindset because I hate when I lose, it drives me crazy. So when I am injured I play through it, but this mindset also has its flaws because since I didn't want to come out I hurt my knee pretty bad. So that is why I try to calm myself down. Many people in my opinion just need to push through. Because their is a difference between great and greatness. This shows you have that winning mentality.