Synergize
The main point of this chapter is that a group effort has the potential to be much more than just its component parts. Compromise means not getting the full potential out of each side, cooperation means getting the full benefits of both sides, but synergy means getting more than was ever available previously from the two separate parties. I agree with this heavily and think that there are too many people who think that working with others means just tolerating differences and avoiding them. This is not productive at all, because if you celebrate and tap into differences, it provides the opportunities for creative sparks and new, creative solutions to previously unsolved issues.
Sharpen the Saw
All of these habits are great to have, but won’t last long if you don’t take the time to renew yourself. This can mean:
- physically (exercising, eating well, getting more sleep)
- mentally (reading books, learning an instrument, researching an interesting topic)
- socially (remaking old connections, building trust, making others happy)
- or spiritually (meditation, introspection, spending time in nature)
Checking up on these on a regular basis demands you to be proactive, but it will ensure that you are always working at full capacity at other times. I resonated with these points quite heavily, as it really cemented the justification that I needed to give myself to take the time to step back and ‘sharpen my tools’.
Keep Hope Alive
The conclusion of Sean Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is positive and inspiring. It reiterates that the tools laid out in the book are to be taken one small step at a time. These small steps are extremely manageable, and with enough small steps you can circumnavigate the globe. Overall, I think that the book is extremely well written, engaging and easy to follow along with. I feel that I am walking away with tons of useful tips and tools that will stay with me forever, whether I’m conscious of it or not.
