A habit is a regular and settled tendency of an individual especially one that is difficult to give up. On the other hand, effectiveness is described as the tendency of being successful in producing the desired results intended by the implementer of the virtue. Collectively, effective habits bring about optimal long-term beneficial results owing to the fact that they are based on principles. When properly integrated, effective habits build the basis of an individual’s character fundamentally empowering the individual to solve problems efficiently, grasp opportunities, as well as continuously incorporate other principles in a bid to progressively learn in an upward spiral of success and growth. However, for the purpose of the paper, only four out of the seven habits by Stephen Covey will be discussed. These habits include; think win-win, begin with the end in mind, be proactive, and put first things first. As such, the paper is aimed at providing a meticulous discourse through which the habits of effective individuals are discussed under four major precepts through which fundamental insights regarding their effectiveness will be realized.
Things You Agree With
Under the ‘be proactive’ habit of effectiveness, it is agreeable that individuals should take responsibility for everything they do or say instead of blaming the surrounding or other individuals. As Covey (1991) suggests, proactive individuals believe in themselves and further believe that they are response-able. Proactive individuals are conscious of the fact that they choose their behavior and not the environment, unlike reactive individuals. It is agreeable that proactive individuals should focus their energies on the circle of influence since this is where they have the power to influence or control situations, unlike reactive individuals who involve themselves in the circle of concern.
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Under the second habit; begin with the end in mind, it is important to understand and visualize where one wants to be thereby taking control of one’s own destiny and success which takes away the power from other individuals to shape another individual’s life as well as oneself. It is also agreeable that it is important to create a personal mission statement that allows one to focus and put energy in what one wants to undertake as well as what one wants to be. In so doing, it is true that an individual takes the lead over his or her own life and destiny as one should towards the envisioned future.
The third habit is putting first things first. It is true and agreeable that putting first things first helps an individual manage life as well as his or her values, purpose, roles, and priorities. It is also agreeable that the things that one finds of most value or worth are what makes up the priorities of an individual. In essence, by prioritizing the valuable things, individuals link with the second habit thereby able to achieve the objectives and goals established in the second habit. In this accord, it is true that by prioritizing, the individual is able to manage time subsequently making him gain the platform of managing other events as well.
Think win-win is a code for human collaboration and interaction fundamentally hinged on the character of the individual. To this end, it is agreeable that the corporative nature of the win-win habit bears better results than the competitive phenomenon. By being corporative, it is agreeable that win-win mutually benefits all individuals especially through their interactions thereby resulting in satisfaction to all parties. It is also true that for one to have a win-win attitude or habit one needs to possess the three pivotal traits; integrity, maturity, and abundance mentality. Moreover, empathy and confidence are as equally important as sensitivity, braveness, and consideration.
Things You Disagreed With
As much as the habits are fundamental in defining an individual’s characters, there are particular concepts regarding the habits that are not agreeable. However, it should be noted that these pitfalls are not grounds to corrupt or pervert the totality or authenticity of the habits. To this end, as much as being proactive requires an individual to involve himself or herself in the circle of influence, it is not agreeable that the circle of concern should be set aside. It is worth mentioning that for some individuals, the issues there in the circle of concern such as terrorism or the national debt are their main areas of expertise or profession, and as search, have to be proactive in these fields. Also, as much as being positive and using positive language such as ‘I can’ or ‘I will’ is psychologically crucial in achieving optimal results, it is important to accept impossible situations or accept defeat.
Beginning with an end in mind also has its pitfalls. Due to the imaginative nature of the human mind, it is possible for individuals to set very high targets and aspirations that could ultimately lead to disappointment and desperation. In putting first things first, it is disagreeable that this habit is the second or physical creation subsequent to the second habit which is the first or mental creation. This is so because prioritizing is still abstract and not an actual physical action. Alternatively, execution after prioritization is more physical than the latter. Prioritization is more geared towards management of time and events as laid out in the second habit than actually carrying out the action. For instance, prioritizing which event to attend first over the other is more abstract than actually going to the events.
In adopting the win-win habit, it is difficult to be on the fence on some issues because they require the individual to be on one or the other side of the fence based on the issue at hand. This is further elaborated by one of the traits stipulated by Covey, integrity. Under this trait, the author asserts that an individual with integrity is required to stick by his or her true feelings, commitments, or values. By this trait, one cannot be on both sides. Rather, he or she will choose a side even though the position is still geared towards cooperation rather than competition.
Application of the Information
By the first habit of being proactive, one can apply it by always being positive and seeing possibilities in every situation, especially when solving problems. In the same accord, being conscious and choosing a personal behavior will help in avoiding peer pressure thereby taking control of one’s destiny education wise. In order to achieve this, it will be fundamental to develop a personal mission statement with regards to one’s career and profession after school as imagined and envisioned. Coupling the mission statement is prioritization which further helps in managing personal time thereby able to comprehend when to undertake certain activities such as studying, sports, and other events as envisioned. Ultimately, it is important to consider all sides of every situation by confidently taking the situations head-on with confidence and sensitivity. To this end, crucial and beneficial decisions will be made. Also, through integrity, one would know when to sit on both sides of a situation and when to choose a side based on the commitments and values personally cherished thereby epitomizing win-win.
Questions
As much as the habits are crucial and pivotal, they are not entirely fool-proof. For instance, if to realize the full benefits of win-win, one needs not to think in terms of either/or, why then is an individual of integrity required to stick to his or her commitments, values or feelings? Are those not bias? Also, if to be proactive one needs to focus on the circle of influence, then does it mean that issues in the circle of concern such as terrorism or the national debt are not important or fundamental? Is a proactive individual immune to the issues in the circle of concern? Ultimately, if by the win-win attitude one is not required to be on one side or the other, then why does a proactive individual not concern himself or herself with the issues in the circle of concern?
The habits are particularly just as effective and important on their own as they are collectively. They aid an individual in envisioning his or her future as well as create a personal mission statement which is kept in check by prioritization of valuable factors. However, the habits raise fundamental questions regarding their incorporation and implementation. In essence, taking on a general perspective, some of the habits contradict the others consequently unable to maintain effectiveness. As such, to successfully implement all the habits and realize optimal results, one needs to take each habit as independent rather than a chain.
References
Covey, S. R. (1991). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. Print.
