Comments on: Sharpen the Saw http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/ Personal Development for Smart People Sat, 09 May 2009 21:45:19 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Arthur Langereis http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-214 Arthur Langereis Fri, 26 Nov 2004 18:12:21 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-214 Also, I think that blindly following "the leader", regardless of his/her (proven) qualities ;), is not the way to go. Rather than imitate your masters/idols, follow in their footsteps. Learn what worked for them, see if it works for you and adapt their teachings to your personal situation. Also, I think that blindly following “the leader”, regardless of his/her (proven) qualities ;) , is not the way to go. Rather than imitate your masters/idols, follow in their footsteps. Learn what worked for them, see if it works for you and adapt their teachings to your personal situation.

]]> By: GBGames http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-154 GBGames Thu, 18 Nov 2004 16:16:23 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-154 I'm sure Steve wouldn't appreciate me following him around at his home. Reading books is cheaper and more convenient. B-) I’m sure Steve wouldn’t appreciate me following him around at his home. Reading books is cheaper and more convenient. B-)

]]> By: ringmaster http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-153 ringmaster Wed, 17 Nov 2004 09:55:36 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-153 Forget the books! Follow the leader: Steve Pavlina. Forget the books! Follow the leader: Steve Pavlina.

]]> By: Steve Pavlina http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-151 Steve Pavlina Mon, 15 Nov 2004 05:07:39 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-151 I originally tried to start typing up such a reading list, but I quickly found it impractical. I read about 50 books/year on some aspect of personal growth, and I've been doing this since the early 1990s, so the list would be over 500 books long. I often check out books from the local library, including audio books, so I don't even have copies of them all. And I can't just list the <i>best</i> books, since my opinion on which ones are the best changes every year, and this is highly subjective anyway. Virtually every book I read gives me at least one valuable new distinction. So I wouldn't recommend any particular list of books per se but rather the habit of reading a book a week itself, an idea I learned from Brian Tracy's <i>How to Master Your Time</i> audio program. I think this habit is far more important than any particular top 10 or top 50 list of books to read. Tony Robbins mentioned in one of his books that he read over 700 books in the area of personal development. He's probably way beyond that figure by now. I share his attitude on devouring information, since even one simple idea can catapult you ahead. Currently I'm reading <i>Emotional Intelligence</i> by Daniel Goleman, a 10-year old book which is fairly dry but makes some interesting points. After that I'll probably read some fiction (which I find is good for my imagination and visualization) -- the last fiction books I read were Piers Anthony's 7-book <i>Incarnations of Immortality</i> series, which I thought was excellent overall. I originally tried to start typing up such a reading list, but I quickly found it impractical. I read about 50 books/year on some aspect of personal growth, and I’ve been doing this since the early 1990s, so the list would be over 500 books long. I often check out books from the local library, including audio books, so I don’t even have copies of them all. And I can’t just list the best books, since my opinion on which ones are the best changes every year, and this is highly subjective anyway. Virtually every book I read gives me at least one valuable new distinction. So I wouldn’t recommend any particular list of books per se but rather the habit of reading a book a week itself, an idea I learned from Brian Tracy’s How to Master Your Time audio program. I think this habit is far more important than any particular top 10 or top 50 list of books to read.

Tony Robbins mentioned in one of his books that he read over 700 books in the area of personal development. He’s probably way beyond that figure by now. I share his attitude on devouring information, since even one simple idea can catapult you ahead.

Currently I’m reading Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, a 10-year old book which is fairly dry but makes some interesting points. After that I’ll probably read some fiction (which I find is good for my imagination and visualization) — the last fiction books I read were Piers Anthony’s 7-book Incarnations of Immortality series, which I thought was excellent overall.

]]> By: GBGames http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-150 GBGames Mon, 15 Nov 2004 04:13:47 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-150 I also would love to see a listing of the books and other resources you have made use of (as the first post said). I also would love to see a listing of the books and other resources you have made use of (as the first post said).

]]> By: Steve Pavlina http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-149 Steve Pavlina Mon, 15 Nov 2004 02:16:11 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-149 Having fun or cultivating other positive emotional experiences is a saw-sharpening activity; in this case you're sharpening your attitude and emotional well-being, which can have a huge effect on behavior and results. This is especially effective if you spend much time around people with a predominantly negative attitude. Laughter has many health benefits, while depression is a major factor in disease. Norman Cousins' book <i>Anatomy of an Illness</i> is a good example of how emotional renewal can positively affect the physical body... even safe a person's life. Everyone finds renewal in their own way. For some people it's important to have lots of fun to renew themselves emotionally. Other people benefit more from meditation or spiritual practices. And still others will find renewal in playing challenging logic puzzle games. :) The movie <em>It's a Wonderful Life</em> is an example of one person's experience of the process of renewal, showing how an emotionally depleted suicidal person can return to a state of security and happiness through a series of perspective-changing experiences. Dickens' <em>A Christmas Carol</em> is another example. In these fictional cases the renewal process wasn't self-directed; however, it's certainly possible to initiate your own renewal when you first recognize that something isn't right. For example, the musician Billy Joel did this by checking himself into a mental institution when he was suicidal (before he was famous), and this began his emotional renewal process. Having fun or cultivating other positive emotional experiences is a saw-sharpening activity; in this case you’re sharpening your attitude and emotional well-being, which can have a huge effect on behavior and results. This is especially effective if you spend much time around people with a predominantly negative attitude. Laughter has many health benefits, while depression is a major factor in disease. Norman Cousins’ book Anatomy of an Illness is a good example of how emotional renewal can positively affect the physical body… even safe a person’s life.

Everyone finds renewal in their own way. For some people it’s important to have lots of fun to renew themselves emotionally. Other people benefit more from meditation or spiritual practices. And still others will find renewal in playing challenging logic puzzle games. :)

The movie It’s a Wonderful Life is an example of one person’s experience of the process of renewal, showing how an emotionally depleted suicidal person can return to a state of security and happiness through a series of perspective-changing experiences. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is another example. In these fictional cases the renewal process wasn’t self-directed; however, it’s certainly possible to initiate your own renewal when you first recognize that something isn’t right. For example, the musician Billy Joel did this by checking himself into a mental institution when he was suicidal (before he was famous), and this began his emotional renewal process.

]]> By: x-force http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-147 x-force Sun, 14 Nov 2004 22:24:54 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-147 The concept you wrote about is one of Covey's ideas I don't agree with. Yes, it's good to train yourself, to go to conferences, eat well, etc. But your article claims that this is the best choice when feeling burned out. My experience has shown me countless times that it's not so. There are several activities that you can do: 1. work 2. sharpen the saw = train yourself to improve your work skills, work out at the gym, eat better food, etc 3. rest 4. do something really fun 5. do something that is mildly fun For a productive and happy life, one must do activities 1, 2, 3 and 4 alternatively. Activity 4 (having real fun) is crucial for not getting burned out. Activity 5 (doing something only mildly fun) is EVIL. It wastes time, and doesn't improve your state. It should be replaced with activity 4 (having real fun). The concept you wrote about is one of Covey’s ideas I don’t agree with.

Yes, it’s good to train yourself, to go to conferences, eat well, etc.

But your article claims that this is the best choice when feeling burned out.

My experience has shown me countless times that it’s not so.

There are several activities that you can do:

1. work

2. sharpen the saw = train yourself to improve your work skills, work out at the gym, eat better food, etc

3. rest

4. do something really fun

5. do something that is mildly fun

For a productive and happy life, one must do activities 1, 2, 3 and 4 alternatively.

Activity 4 (having real fun) is crucial for not getting burned out.

Activity 5 (doing something only mildly fun) is EVIL. It wastes time, and doesn’t improve your state. It should be replaced with activity 4 (having real fun).

]]> By: Pavel http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-145 Pavel Sun, 14 Nov 2004 20:06:19 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-145 This blog is superb, I was always waiting for new articles on old Dexterity, now I have them in shorther form on this blog every couple of days. Thanks alot and keep it on! This blog is superb, I was always waiting for new articles on old Dexterity, now I have them in shorther form on this blog every couple of days. Thanks alot and keep it on!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-142 Anonymous Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:08:42 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-142 the greatest problem with working 45 hours/week for "the man" is that you are forced to use a dull blade all week. you can't in the middle of the day/week decide to do some other activity to sharpen your saw (like improving your skills in a certain area or whatever), even if this activty would significantly improve your motivation, commitment, and energy. the boss/team/schedule just want to see you cut lotsa wood, that's all :) for me I think this is the ultimate reason I am so attracted to running my own business. the greatest problem with working 45 hours/week for “the man” is that you are forced to use a dull blade all week. you can’t in the middle of the day/week decide to do some other activity to sharpen your saw (like improving your skills in a certain area or whatever), even if this activty would significantly improve your motivation, commitment, and energy. the boss/team/schedule just want to see you cut lotsa wood, that’s all :)

for me I think this is the ultimate reason I am so attracted to running my own business.

]]> By: Roger Jack http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-141 Roger Jack Sun, 14 Nov 2004 18:20:05 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/11/sharpen-the-saw/#comment-141 Steve, I would really like to see a page on your site where you list all the books, tapes, CDs, etc. that you recommend. You could even add Amazon links and make a little money. Thanks! Steve,

I would really like to see a page on your site where you list all the books, tapes, CDs, etc. that you recommend. You could even add Amazon links and make a little money.

Thanks!

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