A Monthly Challenge to Boost Your Life and Business
If you’ve never read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, it’s one of those books that belongs on your must-read list—especially if you’re serious about growth in life and business. One of the most powerful concepts from the book is “Sharpen the Saw.”
It’s simple: if you don’t take time to renew yourself—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—you eventually burn out. And in trucking or business, burnout doesn’t just slow you down… it costs you.
So instead of letting that happen, we’re turning this idea into something practical: a monthly challenge you can actually use.
Step 1: Brainstorm Your Renewal List
Start by taking 10–15 minutes to write down anything that would help you feel sharper, stronger, and more focused. Don’t overthink it—just get it out of your head and onto paper.
Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Physical
- Walking during breaks
- Drinking more water
- Improving sleep when you can
Mental
- Reading 10 minutes a day
- Learning something new about your business
- Planning your week ahead
Emotional
- Calling someone you haven’t talked to in a while
- Writing down what you’re grateful for
- Taking a few minutes to reset when stress builds
Purpose / Direction
- Reflecting on why you started
- Setting goals for the next 30 days
- Visualizing where you want your business and life to go
There’s no right or wrong list—this is about what you need.
Step 2: Pick Your Focus for the Month
Once your list is done, choose one thing to focus on for the next 30 days.
That’s where most people mess this up—they try to fix everything at once. Instead, pick one. Keep it simple. Keep it doable. Consistency beats intensity every time.
Step 3: Identify Your Tools
Now ask yourself: what do I need to make this easy?
Set yourself up so there’s no friction. For example:
- A water bottle you keep in reach
- A notebook or journal in your cab
- A playlist of audiobooks ready to go
- Apps that help track habits or remind you
When your tools are ready, execution becomes automatic.
Step 4: Build Your Support System
You don’t have to do this alone—and you shouldn’t.
Think about who you can lean on:
- Other drivers and business owners who are working toward growth
- Friends or family who can check in on you
- Someone in your network who’s working on similar goals
- Joining the Let’s Truck Tribe to connect with people who understand your lifestyle, keep you accountable, and push you to keep moving forward
Tell them what you’re focusing on. That one simple step increases your chances of actually following through.
Step 5: Track It and Repeat
Track your progress daily—even if it’s just a checkmark. At the end of the month, look back:
- What worked?
- What didn’t?
- How do you feel compared to when you started?
Then do it again next month with a new focus. That’s how you build real momentum.
Why This Matters
“Sharpen the Saw” isn’t just a good idea—it’s a competitive advantage.
When you take care of yourself:
- You think clearer
- You react better under pressure
- You have more energy for long days
- You make better decisions in your business
Most people stay stuck because they run themselves into the ground. The ones who win are the ones who stay sharp.
Start This Month
You don’t need more time—you need a better approach. Take a few minutes, build your list, pick your focus, and commit to it for the next 30 days. That’s it.
Sharpen your saw—and watch what happens when you start showing up at your best every single day.
