A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU!

A New Year, A New You1

In preparing for the next eight-week session of my journaling workshop, I've been revisiting The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, not only rereading this #1 bestseller, but also listening to the audio version.

In his book, Stephen R. Covey offers appealing guidelines for personal effectivenesses. 

The new year presents us with a perfect opportunity to begin anew. Traditionally, January is the time we decide to diet, exercise more, and be better people overall. If we think about it, however, every single day offers us that same opportunity.

Why not transform ourselves and our reality each day? It's easier said than done, of course, and that's why I offer many ways to approach this challenge.

First of all, change comes from the inside, not the outside. All change begins within. Decision leads to action, but the decision must first be made. Our character consists of our habits in connection with knowledge, skill, and desire. Knowledge gives us the information we need to know what to do. Skill gives us the ability to do it; and desire is the motivator.

Many of us have already read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but reviewing the seven habits from time to time allows us to evaluate how we're doing and just how effectively we're living our lives.

Habit #1: Be proactive.
Being proactive is assessing the situation and developing a positive response. Change starts from within. Highly effective people make the decision to improve their lives through what they can influence instead of always acting to external stressors and forces.

Habit #2: Begin with the end in mind. This means developing a mission statement involving long-term goals based on personal values and principles.

Habit #3: Put first things first. This consists of prioritizing, observing, and evaluating how we spend time and identifying key roles we have in life. How can we make time for each of these roles and be productive? We observe and figure out what matters most to us, evaluate how we spend our time, and set priorities.

Habit #4: Think win-win. When we seek mutually beneficial relationships and agreements, we make a difference not only in our own lives but in the lives of others.

Habit #5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. This habit is about communication. We spend a lot of time learning to read, write, and speak, but how much time do we spend learning how to listen? When we listen empathically to others, we're better able to see their perspective and understand their feelings and the meaning of what they say. Once we understand at this deeper level, then we can attempt to be understood.

Habit #6: Synergies. Through deeper listening and trustful communication, we're better able to create a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts. 

Habit #7: Sharpen the saw. Continuing to saw away at a tree with a dull blade impedes progress. Sharpening the saw means to take time for renewal through mindful journaling, meditation, and social/emotional/spirit;pal dimensions. Habit #7 is how we refuel.

Considering the 7 habits suggested by Stephen Covey might be a creative and practical approach to becoming a more effective human being in this new year.