Did you know that change, real change starts from within, “From The inside Out?”
My daily quiet-time usually consist of the Word (Bible), Worship, Prayer and Journaling. It is time well-spent building spiritual muscle, by allowing the Lord to feed my spirit. I am always amazed and extremely grateful that the Lord cares about every single detail of our “day to day” lives. So much so, that He leads and guides us towards resources and tools that will help strengthen us in other areas. #grateful
I am currently reading the book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Dr. Stephen R. Covey. It’s been very helpful to me. My truth: I am really good about creating goals, and making list but if not careful I will over-commitment, thereby hindering my progress in a certain area. The Lord spoke to me about prioritizing, and just recently, my Pastor suggested that we read a book a month. #confirmation
Over the next 7 weeks, I will be sharing my notes from this book (covering a habit a week), and my take-aways! The first habit to be covered: “Be Proactive!”
Here are a few of my notes from today’s study;
- While working on his doctorate in the 1970’s, Stephen R. Covey reviewed 200 years of literature on success. He noticed that since the 1920’s, success writings have focused on solutions to specific problems. In some cases such tactical advice may have been effective, but only for immediate issues and not for the long-term, underlying ones. The success literature of the last half of the 20th century largely attributed success to personality traits, skills, techniques, maintaining a positive attitude, etc. This philosophy can be referred to as the Personality Ethic.
- However, during the 150 years or so that preceded that period, the literature on success was more character oriented. It emphasized the deeper principles and foundations of success. This philosophy is known as the Character Ethic, under which success is attributed more to underlying characteristics such as integrity, courage, justice, patience, etc.
- The elements of the Character Ethic are primary traits while those of the Personality Ethic are secondary. While secondary traits may help one to play the game to succeed in some specific circumstances, for long-term success both are necessary. One’s character is what is most visible in long-term relationships. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say.”
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People presents an “inside-out” approach to effectiveness that is centered on principles and character. Inside-out means that the change starts within oneself. For many people, this approach represents a paradigm shift away from the Personality Ethic and toward the Character Ethic.
Here’s a list of the 7 habits;
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habits 4, 5, and 6 then address interdependence:
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen Your Saw
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Change starts from within, and highly effective people make the decision to improve their lives through the things that they can influence rather than by simply reacting to external forces.
My Take Away:
I am indeed fascinated by this book, and Dr Covey’s research. Be ProActive: We all know that life comes at us fast, and hard. Being Proactive states, You Choose (rather than allowing others to choose for you). It’s time out for living a life of “if-onlys” and it is now time to live a life, where you take more responsibility for the decisions you make. You are more powerful than you believe! It’s time to evaluate You! Are you Proactive, or Reactive? Reactive individuals are controlled by external forces, while Proactive individuals are “leaders” of their own lives. #BeADoer #YourBestDaysAreAhead #LifeLongLearner #Read #Learn #Grow
Side-Note: I Will Be Switching It Up a Bit From Time to Time #Stay-Tuned!
