Tag Archives: Stephen Covey

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!

 

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.