The 7 Habits of
Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
I read this book many years ago but I don’t remember any of
it. Maybe it was lack of life experience
or immaturity. I am in a much better
place now, truly desiring to make some changes in my life and become a better
disciple and beacon of light to those around me. These 7 Habits are based on “principles
which are guidelines…that have been proven over time to have enduring,
permanent value.” (Summaries.com p 2) These
principles represent values that are important to me. I can learn how to use these habits to become a more effective person.
A paradigm is the way we see and understand the world around
us. Before I can change anything, I need
to check my perceptions or shift some of these paradigms. I need to be aware of how my opinions are
affecting my attitude towards others, towards change, or towards challenges. These habits “are a new level of thinking – a
paradigm shift based on a principle-centered, character-based inside-out
approach to personal effectiveness.” (p
2)
Trying to tackle all of these habits at the same time would
not be productive. I need to focus on
one practice at a time, allowing each to truly become a habit. I want these habits to help me find purpose
in my life. I want them to make long
term changes. By reading the full book,
rather than the summary, I will be able to better understand how I can have each
habit truly change me.
The first 3 habits deal with self-mastery or private
victories and lay the foundation for the other habits.
Habit 1 – Be Proactive
Before I can change how I see or think about others, I need
to understand how I see myself. There
are a few things I can control. This
introduces the principle of self-awareness.
What can I control? First off, my
thoughts; I have the ability to create a new reality; I know inside what is
right and wrong; and I have the ability to act on my thoughts. I can choose my response to any situation,
but not the consequences that come with those choices. I can choose to be reactive or proactive in
every circumstance. “This is the true meaning of ‘response-ability’.” (p
3) Being proactive means I think about
my actions and thoughts and the effect they have on me and on others. I need to be proactive in whatever situation
I am in. I need to learn to “control a
situation from the inside out.” (p 3) If
I can learn to do this, even in the little everyday things, I can be a better
leader. I can have the confidence I need
to move on to the next habit.
This week, I will really focus on what paradigms need to be
shifted. Where can I change my
perception into something more positive?
Where can I improve my attitude?
How is my perception of a situation effecting those around me? What are my actions in response to different
situations teaching my children? I will
post these questions where I can see them each morning, reminding me to be
aware. I will share my goals with
Bill. I will have him help hold me accountable
to seeing this through. Perhaps we can
help each other.
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