Analyzing Two Habits Foundational to Effectiveness

The first habit Sean Convey lists of the seven is “Be Proactive.” This habit made an impact on me because it sends a message that I try to take into account everyday, but haven’t one-hundred percent fulfilled. The habit, “Be Proactive” is important because it says that you are in full control of your life, your decisions and your attitude. A quote that Convey adds to support this message is, “You can not control what happens to you, but you can control how you react.” You choose everyday to be proactive or reactive. Reactive people act solely on impulse, whereas proactive people think before they act, make decisions based on their values, and always find a way to move forward. Habit #1 is important because it teaches readers to take initiative, be proactive rather than reactive, and to not let others

I have found that self-assessments tend to be somewhat unreliable because people tend to be too hard or too easy on themselves. With this is mind, I tried to really take an honest look at my strengths and weakness when filling out the Seven Habits Profile. I consider myself to be the quintessential “People Person” and I did see that reflected in my results.

Servant leadership is defined by a willingness of a leader to put the needs, desires, recognition and success of their employees and organization above their own interests. They often inspire followership through their example resulting in deeply loyal subordinates that are motivated to emulate the leader’s behavior not out of fear or a desire to please and impress but because of its intrinsic value. Reading through the results of my Seven Habits Profile I noticed that I was comparatively deficient on a few of the foundational and organizational habits such as putting first things first and beginning with the end in mind. Conversely, I had a much higher level of empathetic traits with synergy, seeking first to understand, and thinking win-win taking the top three spots. These traits are highly consistent with servant leadership.

He concludes that psychosocial and spiritual thought, is both science and theology in its elements, as well as acknowledged the ways in which human sinfulness distorts what we claim to know, and employs a Christian worldview. Entwistle argues that optimal integrative efforts combine personal and spiritual as well as intellectual knowledge and application.

Habit as defined in Webster’s as a: a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance b : an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary (Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online, 2011). Behavior is the manner of conducting oneself or anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation. In everyday life habits are formed and intertwined with ones behavior. People are often associated with the way they behave

1. McMillan demonstrates that the only way to fix the American eating habits is to consider the issue of social classes when discussing about the best eating habits that promotes health and fitness.

Keystone habit is a change of a behavior that can form other positive habits. It creates a chain reaction on the way we live our life. Based on “Habits as Change Levers” by Daniel Denison and Levi Nieminen, the authors give an example on how changing keystone habit can affect other habit and be advantageous.

There are similarities and differences when analyzing the components of biological and humanistic approaches to personality. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs express important aspects of biological factors that approaches personality.

In Spirituality for the Rest of Us, Osborne (2009) expresses the need for each of us to develop our own unique relationship with God. This can be accomplished by recognizing our path to spirituality is not made by a specific set of steps that must be completed in a certain order. We do not need to add extra rules to demonstrate genuine spirituality, nor will one discipline work for everyone at all times. It is important to choose the discipline that works when it is needed. Finally, Osborne explores why practicing “Glass House living” is more effective at helping to maintain a spiritual life than participation in accountability groups.

Covey, S (2004). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Reading this article further persuaded me on the positive correlation between mental and physical wellness with spirituality. Integrating spirituality and scriptures with mental health approaches promote and increases overall wellness. Cognitive-behavioral therapies have proven to be effective in sustaining restructure in the client’s perception, which in turn decreases depressive symptoms.

Social change is a significant transformation over time in behavior patterns, cultural values, and norms. There are different factors that play in the role of social change. Charles Duhigg a reporter for the New York Times wrote a book named The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, his book explores the origin of habits and how they can be transformed. In this chapter from his book “From Civil Rights to Megachurches”, Duhigg explores the power of relationship and social habits that can create a large-scale change, one example, he looks at is Rosa Parks arrest for reaming seated on the bus and it sparked the civil rights movement. For social change to occur it must illustrate the power of strong and weak ties to become

Throughout the book, the author carefully details the need for balance between theology and spirituality, and psychology and Christianity. Though the author discusses methods and approaches that are spiritual but based on a strong theological foundation. “Nothing is more crucial to an effective Christian life that a clear awareness of its foundation” (p. 25). Essentially Crabb (1977) maintains that spirituality is a product of the correct thinking associated with strong theological foundation.

lIn “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey helps people become more effective when dealing with the significant challenges of life. In details, Stephen Covey provides guidelines for managing time and balancing studies, social life, job, and other priorities. The first three habits are focused on personal victories. They teach how to develop self-mastery and dependence. Those three habits are: Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind, and Put First Things First. Habits four, five, and six address interdependence, the success in working with others. Habit four: Think Win-Win, habit five: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, and habit six: Synergize. The seventh habit: Sharpen the Saw, talks about building

Stephen R. Covey first wrote the self-help book entitled, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book has since opened the eyes and hearts to millions of people throughout the world. After discovering the success that so many individuals encountered and still encountering, Dr. Covey decided to write the sequel entitled, The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. This habit is explained as, “Finding your voice, your calling, your soul’s code and inspire others to do the same.” What does that mean exactly and how would one implement that particular habit into the business world? It is simple really, that is if you know what it is that you are working towards, having an end in mind. With some direction, a foundation, and a