The 8th Habit...From Effectiveness to Greatness

Right now I am reading a book by Stephen Covey called, "The 8th Habit". It is a follow up from his book called "The 7 habits of Highly Effective People". I had read the 7 habits in an interpersonal people skills class and found it to be very interesting and helpful. So, recently I purchased the newest book.

The first book lists seven principles that, if established as habits, are supposed to help a person achieve true interdependent "effectiveness." Dr. Covey argues this is achieved by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north"; principles of a character ethic that, unlike values, he believes to be universal and timeless.

Those habits are(for your information):

1. Be Pro-active - Being "proactive" means taking responsibility for everything in life. When you're reactive, you blame other people and circumstances for obstacles or problems. Initiative, and taking action will then follow

2. Begin with the End In Mind - setting long-term goals based on "true-north principles"

3. Put First Things First - a framework for prioritizing work that is aimed at long-term goals, at the expense of tasks that appear to be urgent, but are in fact less important

4. Think Win/Win - Thoroughly listening to another person's concerns instead of reading out your own autobiography is purported to increase the chance of establishing a working communication.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

6. Synergize - describes a way of working in teams, apply effective problem solving

7. Sharpen the saw - focuses on balanced self-renewal

The habit that I am reading is about us as people need to "Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs". The book also talks of the "6 Cancers" that inhibit people's greatness:

Cynicism
Criticism
Comparing
Competing
Complaining
Contending

As I relate what I am learning to my life in this book I see many things that I need to change within me to be a better person. As with all self help books one has to wonder how effective they are for them. I think that if one really tries to follow its advice perhaps you can be more successful in life.

Stephen Covey often does public speaking workshops and classes teching to others his methods. It was interesting for me to find out that "The Department of Homeland Security", along with several other lrage corporations and law enforcement training facilities, also offers classes to thier employees in regards to these books.

I wanted to share this information with whom ever wants to read my blog because I find the books sooooo interesting that I think everyone should take a few days, or in my case a few hours, to read these books. I am still in the process of reading the 8th and cannot wait to see what the remainder of the book says. The book I bought came with a DVD with several inspirational short videos on it, perhaps I will watch that this week.

I think that if I incorporate more of the lessons taught in these books that perhaps my life, business(XanGo), and making friends in my new state will be better. I plan on re-reading the first one to see how I can implement his teachings better.

Here is a links to some things that I found interesting:

http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/7-habits/7-habits.htm

Free Assesment for you:

https://www.franklincoveycoaching.com/free_assessment

My Score for Personal Effectivness told me: You seem to know what matters most in your life. you have a good grasp of what is important — which goals will most fulfill you, and you arrange your time accordingly. Your answers indicate you are living a life of vision, perspective and achievement. You probably want to surround yourself with positive reinforcements to continue this mode of personal growth.

For Public Effectivness: ou are aware of those people around you — their feelings, concerns and needs. You find ways of making every situation beneficial to all concerned. You genuinely care about helping others to achieve their goals, and you keep in mind that doing so can help you to achieve yours.