4 Things Every Dad Should Do to “Sharpen Their Saw”

I’m a big Stephen Covey fan!  No, scratch that…

I’m a HUGE Steven Covey fan!

Not in a ‘creepy, author-stalker‘ kind of way but in a ‘wow, you write about some amazing truths‘ kind of way.

And one of these truths surround how the four things every Incredible Dad needs to do.

Reading Covey’s classic “7 Habits for Highly Effective People”, Habit 7 talks about Sharpening the Saw.  How does this apply to your life as a Dad you ask?

Here are the 4 things or dimensions that every Dad needs to make sure they’re taking care of:

Physical: For some Dads, this is the easiest one.  For others (myself included), it’s the hardest.  Exercise and eating well are one of those ‘Important but not Urgent’ things that are easy to put off until tomorrow (or until after I finish this post…).  While so cliché, it’s a powerful truth – without your health, nothing else matters.  So for the sake of your kids (if not for yourself), take care of yourself so you ensure you wreak havoc on your kids lives in your old age as much as they’ve done to you in their diapers!  (kidding of course…….. about exercising after this post…..)

Mental:  Since we’ve left school, have you taken any courses/read any books/learned any new skills or has your mind atrophied with gluttonous consumption of mindless television?  (I’ll stop there before I fall off my soap-box…)  Every time I choose reading over watching TV, or every time I choose to work on this site versus surfing the web, I always feel content and rewarded.  To all Dads, LEARN SOMETHING NEW!  And you’ll be surprised that your kids will pick up the same thirst for knowledge as well!  (but don’t blame me when your son, like Book Boy, won’t stop asking why Venom would help Spider-Man fight Carnage… he’ll keep asking until he gets a satisfactory answer and I don’t have one!)

Social/Emotional:  Most Dads are lucky because we’re usually out in the workforce and socializing with others (versus many Moms who only get to socialize with their toddlers all day…. fun…).  But in our day to day relationships, are we being positive people?  Living with integrity?  Affirming others?  This might sound very ‘idealistic’ but I suggest that it’s the only way to live.  Do I do this all the time?  Absolutely not.   However, do I try my best day in and day out?  Yes, and that’s what I hope to bring home and teach my kids as they see me interact with people.

Spiritual: This can be your religion, your beliefs, your core values you hold yourself accountable to, the music that uplifts you … whatever it is, it’s very private and very important.  As a father, what do you draw on to “inspire and uplift you and tie you to the timeless truths of all humanity”?  Whatever it is, spend time going back to your source of energy, your pool of strength, your center of balance in the chaos of parenting.  If you have no idea where to find this, read the Bible if that’s where your belief system lies, read “Meditation Made Easy” to find peace, read “The Power of Now” if you like the summary at the back of the book at Chapters, read “Conversations with God” or “The Shack” if you’re struggling to find God again.  You don’t read?  Paint/Sing/Play Music or do whatever inspires your soul.  Hard to describe but in my opinion, this is all that matters and if you can figure this dimension out and who you are in relation to it, every aspect of your life will take on the most amazing colors you have never seen before!!!

Let’s end this post with an amazing quote from the book, in the words of Phillips Brooks:

“Some day, in the years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life.  But the real struggle is here, now … NOW it is being decided whether, in the day of your supreme sorrow or temptation, you shall miserably fail or gloriously conquer.  Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process.”

Sharpen your Saw daily, work on these 4 dimensions and you will become Incredible!

Image and more info on this topic at http://franklincovey.com/blog/consultants/durelleprice/2009/03/07/free-stuff/

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