Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Building healthy and supportive relationships with others requires trust and effective communication. In turn, they rely on a willingness to work toward mutual understanding. In practice, this can often be implemented by engaging in active and empathetic listening. Try summarizing what the other person has said before you respond to it. This forces you to pay attention and helps both parties avoid misunderstandings. Habit 6: Synergize Synergy is grounded in understanding and the win-win mindset, as it seeks to combine strengths to achieve outcomes greater than could be accomplished in isolation. Teamwork and creativity are highly valued in this approach. Simply enough, this habit can be manifested through encouraging open dialogue with the aim of incorporating a range of different viewpoints. Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw The seventh habit — that of renewal or continuous improvement — focuses on maintaining physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. It recognizes that, to be effective, you must be functional. Continuous self-care and self-renewal sustain effectiveness. Consider scheduling regular time for physical exercise. Likewise, you should find time for mental workouts, such as learning and skill development, or for opportunities to mentally recharge, including mindfulness and meditation. Reading, arts and crafts can combine different aspects of this. Exercise can also be a meditative experience and a boost to mental and physical health. Socializing with friends and family is also vital. Exercise or other recreational activities can be enjoyed as part of a group. Many of these activities have multiple benefits. They should be recognized as support structures for yourself, not as distractions from your personal effectiveness and the pursuit of your goals.
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