In a world where most of us are stretched, stressed and trying to balance it all (use to be we were trying to have it all….now we’re just trying to balance what’s left), Stephen Covey left an indelible mark on our busy lives. He taught me some very simple, principles about how to stay balanced, keep focused and attain what seemed like dreams turned into reality. To this day, I still embrace Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and can attest to how they’ve changed my life, put feet to my dreams and guide my thinking, daily.
Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the “25 Most Influential People in the World”, Dr. Covey’s leadership training crossed every personal boundary and discriminated against no one as he birthed a movement that can still be felt around the world, today. Selling over 20 million copies of his highly acclaimed life changing leadership guide, Covey brought new meaning to old paradigms while shifting our thinking to go outside ourselves and see our “world” from a broader perspective.
In case you never studied the 7 habits, here they are in a nut shell (and what I learned from them in the italicized print):
1) Be proactive (versus reactive). One guides you to the answer while the other distracts you from your purpose.
2) Begin with the end in mind. Create a “visual” of what your goal will look like. Seeing helps facilitate believing.
3) Put first things first. Manage your life at the beginning of each day and your problems/obstacles will become more manageable. Prevention, relationships, recognizing opportunities, planning and recreation. Each one builds upon the other.
4) Win/Win. To “get in the flow” of your purpose you must discipline your thoughts, actions and attitudes to work for the benefit of everyone. When you’re the only one who benefits, you work alone. When everyone “wins” you build synergy.
5) Seek first to understand than to be understood. When you genuinely take an interest in someone else’s needs, goals and purpose you build upon your own integrity and more people will follow your leading, helping you reach your destiny.
6) Synergize. True leaders grow stronger when they recognize and utilize the strength that surrounds them.
7) Sharpen the saw. Never neglect your need for balance in your life. Invest in your body, mind, spirit and relationships. Each one “feeds” our purpose and enables us to realize our fullest potential. When we understand what makes us who were are then others will too.
Do I suceed everyday at each one of these principles? Probably not....but my goal is to strive towards them and allow my heart, mind and spirit to be open to them, everyday!
Quick Tips for Wellness: Want to practice wellness and reach your life’s fullest potential? Study “The 7 habits of highly effective people” and start seeing your life from a broader perspective.
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