The Truth About … Taking charge of 2009 with 6 tips
I have to thank Stephen Covey for changing my life. In 12th grade, our Leadership class (aka Student Government in some schools) had an assignment to read, discuss, and implement 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I’ve picked out 6 of the habits here that will make 2009 your best year ever. (To find the 7th, borrow this book from your local library.) The great thing about these habits is that you can do them right now. They are not difficult to include into your daily life. In fact, they are not things you do, but rather things that you think about. Let me know your success stories!
1. Be proactive
It’s more than just taking initiative. It means being responsible for your own life. Empower yourself to lead and spread your influence no matter what position you hold.
2. Begin with the end in mind
Start today with an image of the end of your life as the frame of reference by which everything else is examined. With a clear idea of where you are going, examine everything in the context of what matters to you most.
3. Seek to understand before seeking to be understood
It’s human nature to want to be understood, but when both parties are trying to be understood, neither party is listening. By making the investment to understand the other party, you can magically transform the course of your conversations.
4. Think win-win
There’s enough success for everyone, so don’t view another person’s success as success achieved at your expense or exclusion.
5. Develop a vision mission statement.
Get a deep sense of your life’s mission, purpose and value system, then establish your goals and a system of accountability that keeps you on track.
6. Sharpen the saw
Decide what’s truly important. Sharpen your saw early in the day by learning to say no to the unimportant and yes to the highly important.
Dr J
Tags: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, book, inspiration, library, self-help, Stephen Covey, success