This document provides instructions for a journal assignment on Covey's 7th habit of "Sharpening the Saw," which involves regularly renewing the four dimensions of one's life - body, brain, heart, and soul. Students are asked to reflect on how they can balance and improve these dimensions while in school and their future profession. The assignment is evaluated based on the depth of content reflection, evidence of personal growth and application, and writing quality. Initial journal entries are due by varying deadlines throughout the week.

1. Due Date: By 11:59 p.m. EST, Wednesday, of Unit 6
Points: 100
Overview:
Covey’s 7th habit, Sharpening the Saw, is all about keeping
your personal self “sharp.”
It means regularly renewing and strengthening the four key
dimensions of your life: your
body, your brain, your heart, and your soul.
You can’t even think about sharpening the saw when you’re
always busy sawing.
• What is something you’d work on improving if you had the
time?
• What is the best way to balance your brain? Body? Heart?
Soul?
• What are some ways you can keep your saw sharp while in
school and then also
in your profession?
Requirements:

2. • Each journal is meant to be an ongoing individual
conversation between you
and your instructor during the week.
• All conversations in the journal are strictly between you and
your instructor and
cannot be seen by other students.
Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be
evaluated before
you write and again after you write.
Evaluation Rubric for Sharpening the Saw Journal
CRITERIA
Did not meet
expectations
Needs improve
ment
Competent
Meets or
exceeds
expectations

3. (0–23 points)
(24–29
points)
(30–35
points)
(36–40
points)
Content
Reflection
Reflection
states only
what was read
or heard in
class without
Reflection
raises ideas
from the
coursework
with limited
Reflection
shares the
meaning you
place on
coursework
Reflection
reveals critical

4. thinking about
course ideas
and concepts
CTC101 – College Success Seminar
Unit 6 Journal: Sharpening the Saw
any further
development.
sharing about
what it means
to you and
what you think
about the
ideas.
experiences
and how they
connect to
support your
success.
that connect
the meaning of
the ideas and
ways to make
them work for
you in college
and life.

5. (0–17 points)
(18–22
points)
(23–26
points)
(27–30
points)
Personal
Growth
Inadequate
evidence of
reflection.
Limited
evidence of
reflection on
own work with
a personal
application and
connection to
learning.
Evidence of
reflection on
own work with
a personal
application and

6. connection to
learning.
Strong
evidence of
reflection on
own work with
a personal
application and
connection to
learning.
(0–11 points)
(12–14
points)
(15–17
points)
(18–20
points)
Writing
Quality
Poor writing
style lacking in
standard
English,
clarity, and lan
guage used
and/or frequent
errors in

7. grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling. Needs
work.
Average and/or
casual writing
style that is
sometimes
unclear and/or
with some
errors in
grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling.
Above-average
writing style
and logically
organized
using standard
English with
minor errors in
grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling.
Well written
and clearly
organized
using standard

8. English,
characterized
by elements of
a strong writing
style, and free
from grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling
errors.
(0 points) (5 points) (7 points) (10 points)
Timely
Participation
Initial journal
entry was
submitted after
Sunday.
Initial journal
entry was
submitted by
Sunday.
Initial journal
entry was
submitted by
Friday.
Initial journal
entry was
submitted by
Wednesday.

9. Memo 2: Negative Message
Assignment: You are the President/CEO of ABC Industries,
Inc.. Due to your company’s declining performance, you are
forced into a merger with your largest competitor, XYZ
Industries, Inc. Your competitor has agreed to allow 80% of the
workforce to stay, however, performance reviews will be
mandated to assess employee value. Draft a memo explaining
this scenario to your 150+ employees.
The format of your memo tells your employees a lot about your
sensitivity and professionalism. Since you know that 20% of
your workforce will be laid off, it is important that the empathy
feels genuine and heartfelt. Pay particular attention to your
memo’s margins, line spacing, font type and size, and placement
of memo parts such as the addressees, subject line, and body.
· Address the memo to all home office employees at your
company.
Recommended Organization
Header: Begin your memo with the four standard memo heads
(Date, To, From, Subject).
Body/Discussion: In the first paragraph of the body include
your reasons for the decision. Memos do not begin with
greetings or salutations. Fully explain why the change is
occurring and what the current situation is.
The second paragraph is where you add a positive spin to the
situation. This is where you should outline the proposed merger
and the process by which employees will be evaluated. Think
of other important elements employees may want to know such
as timeline, severance packages, etc.
In the third paragraph, be sure to validate any anticipated
concerns employees may have about this adjustment. Explain
the greater benefit in the long-term this decision provides and

10. conclude your memo by indicating how the reader may contact
you if he/she has any questions.