Graduation, Review & Reflection... the Saw Sharpening Finale

As we attempt to renew ourselves regularly, we will face obstacles along the way - such as lack of motivation, self-discipline or confidence. Life tends to speed up and get too busy for self-reflection, especially in hard or trying times...

 

Be Strong in Hard Moments

Create for yourself a 'weekly compass' to keep you on track when your getting stressed out. Think about what the one important thing is that you have to do during that week. Always think of Quadrant 1 and 2 instead of 3 and 4...

Include goals such as getting up on time "mind over mattress," disciplining yourself to eat healthier, learning to control your temper a little more every day & sticking to your daily regimen even when you get rushed.

The final chapters of Covey's books review what you should work on within all the habits to create your own personal profile of yourself (this includes your Emotional Bank Account, your Personal Mission Statement and all the other values/goals we have determined through the 7 Habits.)

Work from the Inside-Out

The Inside-Out approach (or in other words the transition between Private to Public victory,) focusses on personal effectiveness preceding interpersonal effectiveness. One must be achieved before the other. By improving ourselves first, we can then help others.

 

Focus on your Circle of Influence

When you look upon your concerns you have to realize there are some things that we cannot control - such as the people around us. The things outside our control are in our Circle of Concern. You need to be patient and learn not to focus all your energy on trying to fix this circle and instead focus on your Circle of Influence. When you focus more on what you can influence you will find that your concerns get smaller.

Continuously Work to Change habits

To form effective habits Covey suggest you only need 3 elements... desire, knowledge and skill. Without desire you will not truly wish to change. Without knowledge, you will not know why or what you need to change. And without skill you will not be able to carry out a course of correction.

"We first make our habits, and then our habits make us."

I hope that through our journey together into the works & teachings of Dr. Stephen Franklin Covey, you have learned so much more than you expected.
Some of these habits were already known to me, others I have struggled to work on, and others I have denied for some years.. I know this will be the case for some of you and I hope that it never has to be again now that we have all transitioned into more effective people together.

As you continue to 'sharpen your saw of skills' please don't forget to look back on all the habits and experience we've learned about here together...

Beginning - Dependence
1 - Be Proactive
2 - Begin with the End in Mind
3 - Put First things First
Transition to Independence
4 - Think Win-Win
5 - Seek First to Understand to be Understood
6 - Synergize
Ending - Interdependence
7 - Sharpen the Saw

"A long, healthy and happy life is the result of making contributions, of having meaningful projects that are personally exciting and contribute to & bless the lives of others" - Hans Selye

Please feel free to leave your comments on Stephen Covey's teachings or any experiences you have had during our journey. Or if you have any questions about Stephen Covey or if you want me to read and cover any more of his work.