f these seven habits got half the attention that we (er, I...) pay to the daily media's onslaught of nonsense, think about what our world could be like... It has been awhile since I've read through the list, and seeing them again this week following Mr. Covey's passing, it reminded me that I should review them more often.Habit 1: Be Proactive
Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with life's principles) are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Self-discover and clarify your important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Prioritize, plan, and execute your week's tasks based on importance rather than urgency. Evaluate whether your efforts exemplify your desired character values, propel you toward goals, and enrich the roles and relationships that were elaborated in Habit 2.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Genuinely strive for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect people by understanding a "win" for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person gets their way.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Use empathic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to reciprocate the listening and take an open mind to being influenced by you. This creates an atmosphere of caring, respect, and positive problem solving.
Habit 6: Synergize
Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, to achieve goals no one person could do alone. Get the best performance out of a group of people through encouraging meaningful contribution, and modeling inspirational and supportive leadership.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle. Engage in exercise for physical renewal, prayer and reading for mental renewal, as well as service to society for spiritual renewal.
-Stephen Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
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Great list...did you see the list your father and I made up recently for a class we are taking? What we value sometimes, does not always come out in our lives. But it is good to remind ourselves of the values and goals we have in mind.
ReplyDeleteI particularly love the proactive item: years ago I said to myself...if I don't like something, change it...if it is out of my jurisdiction, walk on by! It has helped me a lot to move forward making changes instead of sitting on my hind end and whinging!
Thanks for the reminders. Sorry about Mr. Covey.
Did you know the Mr. Covey and I shared the same birth date? It is nice to share a birthday with people who are thinkers and mover and shakers.
ReplyDeleteI liked that 7 Habits book a lot. Sorry to hear Covey is gone.
ReplyDeleteAs I looked over that list again I thought, I could make a list too!
It might be titled Seven Habits of Not So Effective People.
It would be what most of us often slip by doing because it's quicker.
1. Do't do it today if you don't have to.
2. Just get started and let the thing evolve... it will be whatever we can do with what we have and that will be fine.
3. Do what you enjoy first... and if you have time you might still be able to tackle that tough job... or maybe someone else will get tired waiting for me and do it.
4. Try to out think the other guy... if you know what he wants it helps you to get into the best position early.
5. Say what is on your mind and if you are fast enough you might be able to push it thru.
6. Just do it yourself if you want it to get done right.
7. There's no time to sharpen the saw... just push forward with what you know and it will be just fine.
As you can see I practice my own Seven Habits.... I just wasted ten minutes doing something for the fun of it while I should be tending to what is most important. But what the....
Hey... this might be a good outline for new book! Sure to be a Worst Seller!