7 Habits - Putting them into practice.
Omendr asked me on a previous post how I went about following the 7 Habits. Here’s what I’ve been doing:
I planned to begin on the 1st of July, so in June I read the first part of the book which gives the whole background and foundation for the 7 Habits. I also read the chapter on ‘Habit 1 - Be Proactive’ twice. During the month I read and reviewed the chapter again, to remind me of the principles of the habit and to see what I was achieving and what I was missing.
On the 1st of July I consciously began looking for areas in my life where I was not being proactive at present and could start to implement the tools from the book. I actually started doing this from when I first read the book, however from the beginning of July I consciously and deliberately began reviewing areas of my life and judging it if you will, against how I wanted to act in accordance with the habit of being proactive.
I didn’t always act how I would have really liked to. Often, I missed the mark and would look back and feel annoyed at myself because there had been an opportunity to be proactive and I had acted re-actively and from past experience. On those occasions I would remind myself that this was a process, I was replacing old habits with new ones and being aware of my behaviour was the first part of that process.
As the month went on I found myself improving and acting more proactively. I was also noticing with others and particularly my clients, instances where they could act proactively as well, and would coach them to take a more active role.
Being in the second month and the second habit, I don’t get it right all the time. As I said earlier, it’s a process. I’m being more proactive than I was previously, which is what I wanted, and as time goes on I will improve more and more.
I’m internalising ‘Habit 2 - Begin with the end in mind’ in the same manner. Being aware of my behaviour, consciously looking for situations and areas of my life where I can bring this habit into action. And that’s a topic for another post in the next day or so!
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