Friday, April 25, 2008

7 habits

by Covey

Organization
*Be proactive-
We are responsible for our own choices and have the freedom to choose based on principles and values rather than on moods or conditions. We develop and use our four unique human gifts – self-awareness, conscience, imagination, and independent will – and take in inside-out approach to creating change. We choose not to be victims, to be reactive, or to blame others.
*Begin with the end in mind- We shape our own future by creating a mental vision and purposefor any project, large or small. We don’t live day to day with no clear purpose in mind. The highest form of mental creation is a personal, marriage or family mission statement.
*Put first things first- We organize and execute around our most important priorities as expressed in our personal, marriage and family mission statement.We have weekly family times and regular one-on-one bonding times.We are driven by purpose, not by the agendas and forces surrounding us.

Relationships
*Seek first to understand, then to be understood-
We seek first to listen with the intent to understand the thoughts, and feelings of others, then seek to effectively communicate our own thoughts and feelings.Through understanding, we build deep relationships of trust and love.We give helpful feedback. We don’t withhold feedback, nor do we seek first to be understood.
*Think win-win- We think in terms of mutual benefit. We foster support and mutual respect.We think interdependently – “we”, not “me” –And develop win-win agreements.We don’t think selfishly (win-lose)Or like a martyr (lose-win).
*Synergize- We thrive on individual and family strengths so that, by respecting and valuing one another’s differences, the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.We build a mutual problems–solving and opportunity-seizing culture. We foster a nurturing family spirit of loving, learning, and contributing.We don’t go for compromise (1 + 1 + 1 �), or merely cooperation (1 + 1 = 2), but creative cooperation (1 + 1 = 3 or more)

Renewal
*Sharpen the saw- We increase our effectiveness through regular personal and family renewal in four basic areas of life: Physical, social/emotional, spiritual, and mental. We establish traditions that nurture the spirit of family renewal.

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