Habit 6- Synergize and Habit 7- Sharpen the Saw

Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much -Helen Keller

Synergy

It is…

– Celebrating differences

– Teamwork

– Open-mindedness

– Finding new and better

ways

It is not

– Tolerating differences

– Working independently

– Thinking you’re always

right

– Compromise

Personality Test

Take Personality

Test

We are all a minority of one

We have different styles and traits and

characteristics

What fruit were you?

Which fruit was the best?

What if we were all the same?

We all have strengths and weaknesses. No

one is better or worse, just different

We are a minority of one

We learn differently

– One way isn’t better than an other, only different

We see differently

Celebrating Differences

Three possible approaches to diversity

– Shun differences-these people are afraid of

differences. They only accept people that are the

same as them

– Tolerate differences-They believe that everyone

has a right to be different. Don't bother me and I

won’t bother you. They don’t synergize-

differences are hurdles not potential strengths

Celebrator’s Profile

People value differences, see them as an

advantage, not a weakness

Don’t have to agree with the differences

Diversity=Creative Sparks=Opportunity

Difficult to do all the time

– Appreciate racial and cultural differences but look

down on someone because of the clothes they

wear

Getting to Synergy- Action Plan

Define the problem or opportunity

Their way (seek first to understand)

My way (seek to be understood)

Brainstorm (create new options and ideas)

High Way (find the best solution)

Action Plan Pg. 195

Sharpen the saw?

Sometimes we are too busy to take time to

do the things we need to do to keep fresh.

We need to regularly renew and strengthen 4

key areas

– The Body

– The Brain

– The Heart

– The Soul

Balance all 4 areas

If your tires are out of balance, all 4 will not

wear evenly

– It’s hard to be friendly (heart) when you’re

exhausted (body)

– When you are motivated and in tune with yourself

(soul) , it’s easier to focus on your studies (mind)

and to be more friendly (heart)

The Physical Dimension

Exercise, eat healthy, sleep well and relax

– Eat healthy food -take walks

– Relax in the tub -stretch out

– Bike -do aerobics

– Lift weights -practice yoga

– Get enough sleep -play sports

Caring for your brain

Sharpen your mind

Getting a good education may be the most

important thing you can do

Develop brain power through schooling,

extracurricular activities, hobbies, jobs, and

other mind enlarging activities

Sharpen your mind

Read a newspaper

everyday

Travel

Plant a garden

Visit a library

Write a story

Solve puzzles

Play an instrument

debate

Caring for your Heart

Put regular deposits into your personal and

relationship bank accounts

Just laugh- sometimes life just stinks and

there’s not much you can do about it, so

laugh

Caring for your Soul

Finding what deeply inspires you, finding

your inner self where your deepest

convictions and values are

How to feed your soul

– Meditating

– Serving others’

– Listening to music

A teen’s best friend

You can pour your heart out in your journal

and it will sit there and listen. It won’t talk

back

A good way to clear your head become more

self-aware.

You can read past entries to keep from

making the same mistakes and to see how

you have matured

Make time to renew

You are already doing many things to renew

All of it won’t just happen though, it is a

Quadrant 2 activity (important but not

urgent), you have to be proactive