Sharpen the Saw means to have balance in your life.  There is a story of a man who was sawing down a tree and not making a lot of progress.  When a passerby asked him why he didn’t stop sawing to sharpen his saw, he remarked that he was too busy sawing.  Habit 7 reminds us that we are more productive when we are in balance – body, brain, heart and soul.  Just like the four tires on a car, if one area is being ignored or overused, the rest will feel the results.  For young children, the car analogy is one they understand; a car could not go on fewer than all four tires.  Explain the four parts of each person (body, brain, heart, and soul) and how important it is to take care of each part to make them all work better.

Balance Feels Best
I take care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I find meaningful ways to help others.