Renew & Rejuvenate (a "Habits" review)

“So on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” (Genesis 2:2b, NIV) The need to renew and rejuvenate has been part of every good plan from the beginning of time. The Creator of the universe stopped to look at what He created and saw that it was good. Stephen Covey’s Habit 7 – Renewal, from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, should be no exception. It is therefore not the want of renewal that is in question but rather the quality of renewal. It is in the level of quality of renewing that we discover the true value of our work effort.

Of the four dimensions of Habit 7, physical, mental, social, and spiritual, I find that I often lack in diligence to the physical dimension. In order to establish the context in which I fail in the physical dimension of renewal, I will provide an overview of each of the dimensions and my typical approach. This paper will then serve as a planning document for how I can continue in the areas that I currently excel and more importantly place focus on the area that I am weakest. I am extremely fortunate that my career choice provides me many opportunities to stretch myself mentally. In an effort to ensure that I am renewed in the mental dimension, I have developed the practice of alternating the materials I use for studying and researching new technologies and industry innovations. The information technology industry is in a constant state of change and a big part of my job is to follow the trends and recommend new business strategies for my company. To improve and maintain my competitive edge in business, I decided to return to school and finish a much-needed degree. Returning to school has opened up untold opportunities to learn new subjects and to discover ways to utilize them daily.

In addition to the required reading for career and school, I have acquired an interest in the historical accounts of key figures in biblical history. I attempt to immerse myself in specific biblical characters and topics, most recently James the brother of Jesus. Approaching scripture with an intentional objective often leads me to a deeper understanding of the Christian principles that I strive to live by as a person and lead by as a husband and father.

Renewing my social dimension focuses on my ability to understand and communicate with other people. I find that limiting my interaction with a large number of people and focusing on a small group or a single person gives me the chance to uncover new ways to improve my time with them. This allows me to develop my skills of listening and responding more effectively.

A close second in the weakest dimension category is my renewal of the spiritual dimension. I make every effort to spend time in prayer and to read my Bible every day. As an adult Sunday school teacher, I am able to find enrichment in the teacher/student relationship. However, my study can become mechanical and often without the zeal I have when the study time is for my personal growth. This appears to be due to being caught in the task of completing the preparation and not finding the personal application of the biblical topic.

Sunday morning worship is a key part of my spiritual renewal process. I love worshipping my Lord with others. I receive a fresh energy through listening and observing the way other people express their love and worship for God. I have to work to avoid letting myself sink into a routine on Sunday mornings. My goal is to approach each week with a new perspective of the blessings that God has poured down on me and I do this through Sunday worship.

This leads me to my weakest dimension of renewal, physical. My neglect of physical renewal affects the ability to renew the other dimensions. For example, by not exercising regularly, I am often tired and lack energy. This affects my desire and ability to be active with family and friends.

Spending two-thirds to three-quarters of my workday at my desk or a conference table and several hours daily at my desk at home on schoolwork or Bible study, I regularly experience tension from sitting too much. This tension decreases my productively and affects my attitude toward others at the office and at home. As I get older, I am becoming more aware of the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle.

Another area of physical renewal that I have the tendency to ignore is the need to address illness. I too often wait until a physical issue becomes serious before I see my doctor. Of course, this causes additional stress on the other dimensions of my life as well as increased cost of healthcare.

One of my strengths is my ability to plan. Creating a plan to improve the physical dimension in my renewal process is not difficult, executing on that plan is where I have trouble. The success I have found over the last year can be attributed to incremental changes that lead to improvements. Instead of committing myself to a detailed plan, I will focus on how to change the little activities that will add up to a big change in my life.

Increasing the amount of exercise in my daily routine will come in several forms. (For example, taking the stairs at the office instead of the elevator, walking after dinner with my wife, and reintroducing a regular schedule of aerobic exercise, like running on our treadmill.) My goal is to gain the benefits of the physical activities as well as to use them to improve other renewal dimensions. I am confident that walking with my wife will provide opportunities for us to connect and this will have a positive effect on both my spiritual and social dimensions. Yet another positive benefit of walking with my wife is being out in our neighborhood allowing us to connect with our community.

Becoming intentional with my need to relieve stress and tension both physically and emotionally at work, I will schedule regular breaks to get up and interact with others in the office. Part of this break will be to introduce some simple stretching techniques for my legs, back, neck, and shoulders. My objective is to get out of my chair for more than a minute at a time and to use the time to work on my social dimension.

Renewal in any of the four dimensions of physical, mental, spiritual, or social comes down to the quality of the renewal to which one is committed. The need to reinvigorate my mind, body, and soul is as apparent as the need to breath. If I am to realize any value from my relationships and labor, then it only makes sense that I must take the time to review what I have accomplished and to allow for a fresh perspective. God has ordained the need to rest and reflect from the beginning of creation and I trust in Him through His Word. “And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:3, NIV)