Covey uses the common analogy of a woodcutter who is sawing for several days straight and is becoming less and less productive. The process of cutting dulls the blade. So the solution is to periodically sharpen the saw.

Sharpening The Saw is anything that will help you renew your energy and keep you balanced.

Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.

 

Here are some examples of activities:
- Physical:Beneficial eating, exercising, and resting
- Social/Emotional:Making social and meaningful connections with others
- Mental: Learning, reading, writing, and teaching
- Spiritual:Spending time in nature, expanding spiritual self through meditation, music, art, prayer, or service