I’ve officially highlighted some important ideas from the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. This is one of the required reading books of my Developing Human Potential Class. The 7 Habits are as followed: 1) Be proactive, 2) Begin with the End in Mind, 3) Put First Things First, 4) Think Win/Win, 5) Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, 6) Synergize, and 7) Sharpen the Saw.
I realized early, mostly due to my mother, that if I want something, it’s not going to be handed to me on a silver spoon—not even a plastic spoon. You have to figure out a way to get it. This always starts with a vision. Then comes devising a plan. After that comes implementation of that plan. If you don’t have a map, you’ll never get to your vacation spot. But you also can’t take just any map and assume it will get you where you need/want to go. You have to have the right map—this can come via a person, personal research, or just careful logic.
I chose to do the research. I have spent hours—days—poring over resumes trying to figure out where I want/am called to be. According to this book, this is a good thing as long as planning out the future doesn’t distract you from current tasks. The latter is something I struggle with. It’s so much more fun looking for jobs and new cities to visit than to do homework!!!
I’ve tried to be very strategic in my life-building. I try to find a connection between where I’m headed and all my activities so that they don’t become useless resume-stuffers. Now, I can say I am very proud of all the things I have experienced, done, and have been a part of. It’s mind-boggling sometimes. Not to say that I’ve solved cancer, but I have tried stewed cactus in Mexico, swam with Nemo in Belize, played a Rachmaninoff Prelude, and have made relationships with people from LOTS of different countries. All of that would be pointless if I didn’t have a purpose. All the things I’ve just mentioned are near and dear memories and have crafted me into the person I am today.
More later.
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