Sharpen the Saw: Why Taking a Break is Your Most Productive TOEIC Habit

Stephen Covey tells a story.

A man is struggling to cut through a large log.
He’s huffing and puffing, pushing his saw back and forth.
But the blade sticks. Progress is slow. Frustration builds.

Another man watches and asks,
“Why don’t you stop and sharpen your saw?”

The first man snaps back,
“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw! Can’t you see how much wood I need to cut?”

Of course, from the outside, the problem is obvious.
If he stopped to sharpen his tool,
he’d finish faster and with less effort.

But here’s the thing: we all do this.
Especially when studying for TOEIC.

We push through fatigue.
We cram when we’re exhausted.
We think “I don’t have time to take a break”
— not realizing that rest is what makes us effective.

This is Covey’s 7th Habit: Sharpen the Saw —
and it’s the missing piece in your TOEIC strategy.

The Burnout Block — When More Effort Gives You Less Return

Burnout doesn’t come from laziness.
It comes from neglecting yourself while trying to force progress.

When you’re stuck in the Burnout Block, you study harder,
but your performance drops.
Focus fades. Memory weakens.
You feel like you're working endlessly, with no reward.

Covey teaches: You can’t cut effectively with a dull saw.
And you can’t study effectively with a dull mind, body, or spirit.

Sharpening the Saw Means Renewing Yourself

Sharpening the saw is about self-renewal in four areas:

• Physical (exercise, rest)

• Mental (reflection, strategic focus)

• Social/Emotional (emotional balance, meaningful connection)

• Spiritual (clarity of purpose, values alignment)

Ignoring any of these leads to exhaustion, frustration, and eventually — giving up.

But when you invest in these areas,
you don’t just recover —
you perform at a level you didn’t think was possible.

MTC’s Truth: Breaks Aren’t Time Lost — They’re Strategic Investments

At MTC, we reframe breaks, exercise, and rest
not as “distractions” from study —
but as high-impact training for focus, recall, and resilience.

TOEIC isn’t just testing your English knowledge.
It’s testing your ability to stay mentally sharp under pressure.

You can’t “grind through” that challenge with brute force.
You win by keeping your saw sharp.

ALT Habit: The “Sharpen the Saw Reset Routine”

Here’s how to integrate Covey’s Habit 7 into your TOEIC prep:

Daily Micro-Renewal:

1. After every 25 minutes of focused study,
   take a 5-minute reset:

   • Stand up, stretch, move your body.

   • Breathe deeply, away from screens.

   • Mentally review one thing you learned before jumping back in.

Weekly Full Renewal:

1. Once a week, schedule a half-day for self-renewal activities:

   • Go for a walk or exercise session.

   • Reflect on your progress (journaling or discussing with a coach).

   • Do something that refreshes you emotionally (hobbies, time with family).

Why This Works (Even If You Feel You Don’t Have Time)

• Breaks reset mental clarity. You come back sharper, not slower.

• It prevents emotional burnout. Self-renewal keeps motivation sustainable.

• It builds long-term discipline. You stop relying on willpower, and start building systems.

Sharpening the Saw is a Life Skill — Not Just a Study Tip

Stopping to renew yourself takes courage.
It’s easy to keep pushing forward in frustration.
But true progress comes when you learn to care for the person doing the work — you.

Covey’s Habit 7 is the discipline of self-respect.
It’s the understanding that rest, reflection, and balance are not “rewards” after success.
They’re the systems that make success possible.

TOEIC prep is your training ground.
By sharpening your saw daily,
you’re not just preparing for a test —
you’re preparing for a balanced, effective life.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

Two Students. One Test. Two Results. One Difference.

Be a Test-Taker, Not a Student — Here’s Why

Two learners. Same level.

One follows every instruction.
Completes every workbook page.
Waits for the teacher to tell them what to do next.

The other skips most of the assigned homework.
But they come to every lesson asking:
“Why did I get this wrong?”
“How can I spot this question faster?”
“What’s the next strategy I should test?”

Who makes the fastest progress?

It’s always the proactive test-taker, not the passive student.

The Student Mindset — Waiting to Be Taught

Many learners are stuck in a reaction cycle.
They react to bad scores.
They react to assignments.
They react to the teacher’s next instructions.

This is exactly what Stephen Covey calls a “Reactive Mindset.”
In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey explains:
“Reactive people are driven by feelings, circumstances, and conditions.”

They wait.
They hope.
They respond.

But TOEIC doesn’t reward those who wait.
It rewards those who choose to act, adapt, and take ownership.

The Test-Taker Mindset — Habit 1: Be Proactive

Covey’s first habit is simple, but game-changing:
“Be Proactive.”

Proactive learners don’t wait to be told what to do.
They experiment, fail, analyse, and come back asking sharper questions.
They don’t rely on motivation or perfect study plans.
They create momentum by acting.

Covey teaches that proactive people focus on what they can control —
their response, their strategy, their next action.

This is the mindset that breaks the TOEIC Burnout Block.

MTC’s Truth: Your Coach Can’t Play the Game for You

At MTC, we don’t create followers.
We coach proactive players.

If you wait for your teacher to guide every step,
you’ll stay dependent and stuck in reaction mode.

But if you take action first —
even if you fail —
your coach can give you the feedback that drives real improvement.

Proactivity turns a passive student into an active competitor.
And that’s when the breakthroughs start happening.

ALT Habit: The “Proactive Test-Taker Reflection Loop”

Here’s how to practice Covey’s Habit 1 in your TOEIC study:

1. After every practice test or drill, write down:

   • One thing you succeeded at (and why)

   • One thing you failed at (and why, or where you’re unsure)

2. Bring these insights to your next coaching session.
   Not to “report” — but to collaborate on refining your strategy.

3. Adjust. Test again. Keep moving forward.

This is proactive learning in action.

Why Proactivity is the Cure for TOEIC Burnout

• It breaks the frustration loop. You stop reacting emotionally and start acting strategically.

• It makes feedback laser-focused. Your coach can guide you more effectively when you show your thought process.

• It builds a mindset for life. The habit of taking ownership in TOEIC is a rehearsal for owning challenges in your career, relationships, and life.

TOEIC is a Proactivity Test Disguised as an English Test

You don’t pass by being the perfect student.
You pass by being the proactive problem-solver.

Covey’s Habit 1 — Be Proactive — is not motivational fluff.
It’s the foundation for every success habit that follows.

TOEIC is not the goal.
It’s the training ground where you learn how to take ownership of your progress,
both in this test and in your life.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

The Exercise Brain: Your Secret Weapon Against TOEIC Burnout

“I don’t have time to exercise. I need to study.”

Sound familiar?

You’re busy.
You’re under pressure to improve your TOEIC score.
So you tell yourself:
“I’ll exercise after I get my score.”
“I can’t waste time walking when I should be studying.”

But here’s the truth:
Skipping exercise is making your study harder.
You’re stuck in The Burnout Block.

The Burnout Block — When Studying More Gives You Less

Burnout isn’t about laziness.
It’s a brain system failure.

You push yourself harder.
You sit longer at your desk.
But the more you force it, the slower your brain gets.

Mental fatigue builds up.
Stress hormones like cortisol stay high.
Your ability to concentrate and remember drops.

This is The Burnout Block.
It’s not a motivation problem — it’s a brain chemistry problem.

The Exercise Brain — Why Movement Recharges Your Mind

In The Exercise Brain, Anders Hansen explains:
Exercise is not a distraction from thinking — it’s the switch that turns your brain back on.

Here’s what happens when you move your body:

• Dopamine increases — your motivation and focus chemicals rise.

• Serotonin balances — mood and emotional control stabilize.

• BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) increases — a protein that acts like “brain fertilizer,” helping you grow new neural connections and improving memory.

In short:
Exercise repairs the very brain functions that burnout damages.

MTC’s Truth: Exercise Isn’t “Optional” — It’s Part of Your Study System

Most TOEIC learners believe they must choose:
Study or Exercise.

At MTC, we teach this instead:
Exercise is “active recovery” for your brain.
It’s a core part of your study system, not a luxury.

Skipping it isn’t saving time — it’s sabotaging your mental performance.

ALT Habit: The “10-Minute Reset Walk”

You don’t need a gym.
You don’t need fancy equipment.
You need 10 minutes.

Here’s how to integrate exercise into your study system:

1. Before your next TOEIC study session, set a timer for 10 minutes.

2. Go for a simple walk — outside, around your home, anywhere.

3. While walking, breathe deeply and focus on relaxing your shoulders and neck.

4. Come back and start your study session.

Why This Works (Even If You Feel Too Busy to Exercise)

• It lowers cortisol levels. Walking naturally reduces stress hormones that block learning.

• It boosts attention span. A short walk improves your focus for the next 30–60 minutes.

• It primes your brain for retention. BDNF production enhances your ability to absorb and recall new information.

You Can’t Fix Burnout by Sitting Still

Studying harder won’t fix a brain that’s burned out.
But moving — even just 10 minutes a day — can.

Exercise isn’t a reward after studying.
It’s the tool that makes your study effective.

If you want a sharper, calmer, faster-thinking brain for TOEIC,
start walking.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

The Elephant Who Grants Wishes: The Smallest Habit You Can Start Today

夢をかなえるゾウの教え：今日から始める、一番小さな習慣

Are you too tired to even start studying TOEIC?

You know you should study.
You want to improve.
But just thinking about TOEIC makes you sigh.

The textbooks are too thick.
The practice tests feel endless.
Even opening your study app feels like climbing a mountain.

If this sounds familiar, you're not lazy.
You’re stuck in The Burnout Block.

The Burnout Block — When Even Small Effort Feels Too Much

The Burnout Block happens when your brain has hit its limit.
You’ve worked hard before. You’ve failed, or made little progress.
Now, your mind protects itself by saying:
“Why bother?”

Traditional study methods make this worse.
They demand big effort. Big willpower. Big plans.
But if you’re in Burnout, these only make you shut down.

Ganesha’s First Lesson: Start with a Task So Small You Can’t Fail

In The Elephant Who Grants Wishes, the god Ganesha gives the main character a simple challenge:
“Shine your shoes.”

It’s not about shoes.
It’s about creating momentum with a task so small, it’s impossible to fail.

Success isn’t about working harder.
It’s about starting smaller.

MTC’s Truth: You’re Not Broken — Your System Is Too Heavy

Most TOEIC learners think they need to “try harder.”
That’s wrong.

The problem isn’t you.
It’s the size of the first step.

MTC’s approach is different:
We give you a habit so small, you don’t need motivation.

ALT Habit: Listen to Just One Part 2 Question a Day

That’s it.
One question.
No willpower. No plan. No guilt.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Open any TOEIC Part 2 audio file.

2. Play one question.

3. Pause and think: “How would I answer this?”

4. Done.

Why This Works (Even If You Feel Dead Inside)

• It’s too small to fail. You don’t need to “feel ready” — just press play.

• It builds daily momentum. One question today makes two questions tomorrow easier.

• It resets your brain’s belief. You’re no longer someone who “isn’t studying.” You’re in motion.

You Can’t Fix Burnout with Big Effort — But You Can with Small Successes

Your dream of a high TOEIC score isn’t dead.
It’s just buried under bad study systems.

You don’t need a new textbook.
You don’t need a perfect schedule.

You need one question.
One small win.
One habit that makes you feel:
“I did something today.”

Start there.
The Elephant would approve.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

Your Past TOEIC Failures Don’t Matter — Let’s Talk About Burnout (The Real Reason You’re Stuck)

You look at your old TOEIC score.
You remember how hard you studied last time.
You feel tired just thinking about it.

And that little voice in your head says,
“Why bother? You’ll just get burned out again.”

Let’s be clear:
This isn’t laziness.
This is Burnout — the most dangerous learning block.

But here’s the truth:
Your past failures are NOT the reason you feel this way.

The “Trauma Myth” — Your Past is NOT the Problem

There’s a famous idea from Adlerian Psychology (yep, the book 『嫌われる勇気』).
It says: Your past does not decide who you are today.

Your old low score is not why you’re burned out.
It’s not your “TOEIC curse.”
It’s just a result of what you were doing back then.

What’s keeping you stuck now is not your history.
It’s your current mindset and study habits.

MTC Truth: Your Past Score Means Nothing.

The ONLY thing that matters is what you do today.

At My TOEIC Coach (MTC), we don’t care how many times you’ve failed.
We care about the one small action you take today.

And no, we’re not talking about “work harder” nonsense.
We’re talking about an unbeatable habit that even Burnout can’t stop.

The 2-Minute Study Habit — The Anti-Burnout Drill

Burnout happens when you try to do too much, fail, and blame yourself.

The fix?
Don’t fight it.
Make success so easy your brain can’t say no.

Here’s how:

✅ Pick one tiny TOEIC task you can do in under 2 minutes.
Examples:

• Read one Part 7 short passage.

• Listen to one Part 2 question.

• Look at 5 words in your vocab app.

✅ Do this EVERY day. Just this.
No extra study. No pressure.

Why This Works (Even If You Feel Hopeless)

• You can’t fail. It’s too small to mess up.

• You build momentum. Small wins feel good.

• You don’t need motivation. You just do it.

This is not a trick.
It’s a brain hack that resets your energy and starts breaking Burnout.

Your Past Isn’t Holding You Back. Your Habits Are.

You’re not stuck because you failed TOEIC before.
You’re stuck because you’re afraid to fail again.

But you don’t need to win today.
You just need to take one easy step that feels winnable.

The past is over.
What matters is what you do in the next 2 minutes.

Let’s start there.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

Atomic Habits & TOEIC Burnout: Why Small Wins Build Lasting Energy

Many TOEIC learners feel stuck. Not because they’re lazy. Not because they lack discipline. But because they’re exhausted.

Study feels heavy. Motivation fades.
This is Burnout — and more practice tests won’t fix it.

James Clear’s Atomic Habits explains a simple but overlooked solution: design your environment to make small wins automatic.

Burnout Isn’t About How Much You’re Doing — It’s About How You’re Doing It

Most test-takers try to “push through” burnout by studying harder.
But the problem isn’t effort. It’s that every study session feels like a battle of willpower.

Atomic Habits flips this thinking.
Instead of relying on motivation, you adjust your environment and habits to make success easier, not harder.

Example 1: The “Visible Cue” Trick — Vocabulary

Rather than setting a goal to “study vocabulary 30 minutes a day”, you place your vocabulary list somewhere you naturally pause during the day — like on your desk, or next to your coffee machine.

Every time you see it, you spend just 1 minute reviewing a few words.
No timer. No app.
Just a tiny, frictionless action that builds momentum without mental effort.

It’s not a “study session”. It’s a small win that happens naturally.

Example 2: Redesigning Your Listening Practice — Not Your Willpower

Listening practice often feels overwhelming because people wait until they’re “ready” to sit down and focus.

Instead, you can simply swap your phone’s default YouTube setting to English podcasts or TOEIC listening playlists.
Now, when you open YouTube or Spotify during a break, you’re casually exposed to English without forcing yourself into a study mode.

The environment does the work.
You’re not pushing yourself harder — you’re removing friction.

The Point: Small Systems Beat Big Willpower

Burnout doesn’t come from a lack of motivation.
It comes from relying on motivation too much.

Atomic Habits teaches that small, easy wins done consistently are what rebuild energy and progress.

If TOEIC study feels heavy, the answer isn’t “try harder” — it’s build lighter systems.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!