Tag Archives: 7 Habits

7 Habits So Far

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Well after spending a week with the 7 Habits, actually the 1st Habit which was “Be Proactive” I learnt a lot. Maybe not what I was suppose to but this is a process and it takes time to learn the 7 Habits.

What does that mean? Well it means I’m still sitting on my ass and watching crappy t.v., not as much so there has been improvement. Things happen which means you do have to be flexible. If I have cycling scheduled in and there is a torrential downpour that evening, well I’m going to cozy in with Gordon Ramsey for the night. Perhaps I could have done other things on my list, this I suppose is where the learning curve comes in.

The good is that I did make it to yoga twice this week (I was suppose to go three times), I completed seven of the ten tasks I assigned myself. My floors are CLEAN! Spotless, beautiful, shiny clean. I did get some writing done and I have a new plan for next week. Things are improving and this week I have a new schedule and new list of tasks, I’m feeling good about it. I also booked in some t.v. time, I figure if I book it in I won’t feel deprived.

This week the habit is “Begin with the end in mind”. Hmmm….. do I begin with retirement in mind or is that thinking too far ahead?

I will come up with four goals I want to reach before retirement. Then I will lay out a plan for how to achieve them. Okay week two we’ll make you even better than week one!

 

The Most Important Part Of My Plan

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I did spend time on Sunday getting my weekly and daily plan ready as per the instructions for implementing the 7 Habits. I have a to do list (I always have a to do list). Two days in to following the 7 habits and I’ve already realized the most important part of this process.

Getting off my ass.

Sounds pretty simple. Get up off the couch and get things done! Woo Hoo!

Problem? I like sitting on my ass. After a long day and walking home, I like to sit down. Sometimes for quite awhile, sometimes until it’s late and I’m having cereal for dinner so that I can return to the couch and whatever crappy show is on (I like crappy shows). Sometimes I make a cup of tea when I get home and then I know I’m not getting up.

Today though I came home and the couch was calling to me. Looking very cushy. My couch blanket beckoning me. Come sit, relax ….. settle in…….

Oh it was tempting. According to my schedule though I was suppose to go to yoga. Which I have been a little lazy about going to. I immediately changed into my yoga clothes and then sat. Once in the yoga clothes I know I’ll get out the door. If I had sat first I would have been less likely to get into them, sometimes it’s the order you do things that is important. After changing and getting some water I relaxed for half an hour and then headed out the door to yoga.

I did not miss sitting at home, I did not miss the tv and the crappy shows were still waiting for me when I got home. I missed nothing by going to yoga. Something to remember the next time I sit before I change. Everything at home will still be here when I get back AND I’ll feel so much better. Also I can still have cereal for dinner!

I do, I feel way better, I know I’ll sleep well tonight and I’m still on track. Only two days but it’s a start. So far, so good.

The Habits Begin

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So last week I took the 7 Habits Of Effective People course, now I get to work them into my life. The plan of action that is recommended by the course is to cover one habit a week. So by the end of 7 weeks you have developed 7 new habits.

Okay, lets give it a shot!

First week “Be Proactive”. Sounds pretty simple but for me there are somethings that I’m very good at doing and for things like travel I like to be prepared. In others I don’t do them until there is a gun to my head. This is definitely a lesson I could use in my life.

Part of the homework this week is to schedule your days, fill in your calendar and make a weekly and daily to do list. Didn’t take as long as I thought and since I started on Sunday I’ve already realized one important thing. Be flexible!

Okay I came up with that when my calendar almost immediately went sideways. The dog slept in and his walk did not start on time. That was okay as I started in on the household chores. Then I did walk the dog and he wanted a nap. No problem right?

Well if the basset is having a nap I’m going to have a nap with him, it’s one of my favourite things. Looking at my calendar and to do list at the end of the day I got everything except two things done. So I have to rescheduled those. I would say so far so good!

Also this week we need to think of our life mission statement. This I haven’t come up with yet. It does get you thinking about what’s important to you and there is the obvious and then trying to come up with a statement that encompasses what you want out of life and what you believe. I like friends, chocolate and travel but I don’t think that’s exactly what they are talking about. It’s gonna take a little bit of work and maybe a basset nap will help.

Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the week goes but I’m going to stick to it.

Change Is Coming

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Yesterday I completed the 7 Habits course and I am really glad I took it. So much useful information and tools to use in my life. I am glad I took the course, I started the book years ago but never finished it. With a facilitator, especially one as good as Jodi, it’s easier to get through and understand. Also you have to do the exercises and group work which really help the concepts to sink in.

The best thing about the course, I’m now feeling very optimistic. I haven’t felt optimistic in quite awhile. Now I feel like I can get things under control and back on track to achieving my goals.

After a kind of tough first half of the year and getting slowly back to focusing on my life I think the 7 Habits will definitely help speed the process along. The learning doesn’t end after the course, there is a 7 week program to follow to get you used to living with and using the habits. I’ve already completed the first part of week one, which is to spend time planning my week. I have it set to start this Sunday for week one. I’ll let you know how it all goes as I work through it. Right now I think that 7 weeks from now I’m going to be back on track and in a really good place.

For anybody looking to find a way to focus on what is important and work a system into their lives for accomplishing what they want I would recommend taking a look at the 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

Maybe I’ll change my mind but today I’m very optimistic and that feels good.

Okay The 7 Habits Has Been Enjoyable

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I signed up for the course and wasn’t really looking forward to it. I’ve fought the “7 Habits Of Successful People” by Steven Covey for years. Showing up yesterday I thought we’ll get stories, instruction and the dreaded group work and presentations.

Upon arrival I grabbed a coffee and settled in for three days of pretending to pay attention. Something happened, our instructor is really nice, very engaging. The other people from the office were really nice. The course is really useful and I can see implementing many of the habits into my life. Not just work but every day life. Actually probably more my personal life, I care more about my personal life.

Much of it is common sense but sometimes we need a reminder of what’s important, priorities and also how to treat people. All of this is in the course. Focus and figuring out what is important, coming up with a plan and staying on track. All good lessons. Perhaps the best lesson is that I work with people. Sometimes you forget and just show up to your job, get it done and go home. I realized over the past two days how little I engage with the people I work with. Many in the course are outside of my group, people I don’t get to talk to and it was nice to see some familiar faces I haven’t seen in awhile and also meet some new ones.

Have one day to go with the course and I’m looking forward to it. I’m now glad I took it not just for the instruction on the 7 Habits but also for reconnecting with people in the office. Sometimes just stepping away from work and getting a more personal conversation going can make a huge difference, also looking forward to going back to the office and keeping up some of the friendships I’ve started to form.

A New Week

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I don’t have to go to work for three days!

Don’t get too excited I get to go to a 7 Habits course. Do I understand that the 7 Habits are suppose to make me a more productive and organized employee? Yes.

Do I still think I’m going to want to stick a pencil in my eye? Yes.

I am going to go into it with as good an attitude as I can muster. Also I could use some reminding lately of organization and priorities. I’ve been scattered and a little muddled for months now. Perhaps this will pull me back and put me back on track. Also I get to spend time with some coworkers. It’s become so easy to hide at my desk and perhaps it’s also time to get out from my cubicle and get to know my coworkers again.

The company since I’ve been there has been through so many changes and I guess I need to figure out if it’s changed too much for me to be happy there again or if its time to move on. Either way the 7 Habits should come in handy both professionally and personally. Curious how it will go, I know there will be participation and that always takes me outside my comfort zone. Wish me luck!