Seven Habits Reminder
I always wonder when I am working through my school modules when something I have heard of and intended to read will pop up. Well, this week that book that I often saw on my father’s desk as a child was a summary of Stephen Covey’s 7 habits of highly successful people. The habits are as follows: Be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win/win, seek to understand and then be understood, synergize, and finally, sharpen the saw. I have vaguely known the general concept of these seven habits throughout my life, but this week two of them stood out to me most.
1 – Be Proactive
“We can choose our own response to any signals or information we receive. We have the ability to influence our own actions. Therefore, being proactive means to actively choose what our response will be in any situation rather than to react blindly.”
This habit ties with the fifth one, I think, because if you are patient, and calm, you’ll be better able to understand. I have rarely flown off the handle, but I’m human, and it has happened. I can’t say I like the experience once it’s over though, and I think by being proactive in choosing how I want to respond to any given circumstance contentions can be avoided and relationships strengthened.
5 – Seek to understand and then to be understood
“Everyone has a natural tendency to rush in and try to give advice or try to fix things before taking the time to diagnose or try to understand why the other person feels the way they do. The trick, however, is to seek first to understand the other person, then to try and be understood yourself.”
I have been trying very hard, with varying success, over the past several years to try and listen better without interjecting ideas or opinions, or solve problems before hearing the full story. It is slowly becoming easier, but it is going to be a life-long process. I hope, though, that those who know me will see my efforts in being patient, calm, and empathetic.
I think these two habit stood out to me this week because perhaps I need the reminder to work even harder on them. All the habits are important, and I think that as I try to hone those skills, and make them true habits as I break some old habits, I will find success in all facets of my life.