Forgotten

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

“Don't call the world dirty because you forgot to clean your glasses” - Aaron Hill

 

In Stephen Covey’s bestselling book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, Covey discusses the following 7 habits:

1. Be proactive - You are responsible for your life, therefore be proactive and take initiative in the direction of your goals and dreams. Don't wait on others to act for you. Don't sit back. Move out. Decide what you need to do - and get on with it.
2. Begin with the end in mind - Choose how you want to be remembered at your funeral - and then use this picture as a basis for your everyday behavior and choices. Don't allow yourself to drift from what you really want your life to stand for and reflect.
3. Put first things first - Choose to devote your time to what is important, not necessarily to what is urgent. Think about your purpose and proirities before you get lost in the things to do each day.
4. Think win-win - Have an "abundance mentality." Life is not a competition. Instead, seek solutions that benefit everyone connected to the issue.
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood - Be slow to speak and quickk to listen. Push yourself to listen until you truly understand the values, beliefs and concepts that drive the other person's perspectives.
6. Synergize - Find ways to mutually cooperate with those you work with. Value (and leverage) the differences and strenghts in those around you. Insitsting on doing it your way will quickly "de-synergize the synergy" in any relationship.
7. Sharpen the saw - Keep your life in balance by continually choosing to renew and develop four key elements: 1) The physical, 2) mental, 3) emotional/social, and 4) spiritual.

Many people have read this book, and have been inspired by its insightful truths. Yet the question is: How many of the 7 habits have you integrated into your life? Or to put another way - how many have you simply forgotten about?

Take time to renew these key habits in your life this week.