“We first make our habits, then our habits make us.”
Habit 1: Be proactive — take responsibility for your life.
- Those who make it happen vs. those who get happened to. Stop reacting, start being proactive. When you don’t get a job, don’t react negatively. Be proactive and continue the search. Find ways to improve yourself and better prepare for the next opportunity. Reacting language: “I was born this way, I can’t change it.” or “If I have _____ then I’ll be happy.” This thinking takes the power away from you!
“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.” — Mark Twain
“I could see this situation as a setback or as a starting point.” — Unknown
“Whether I fail or success shall be no man’s doing but my own. I am the force.” — Elaine Maxwell
Take responsibility for your life. Have a “can-do” attitude. “Can-do” = act, think about solutions/options, take initiative!
“There are passengers and drivers…drivers wanted.”
- In that analogy, be a driver. Take control of the steering wheel (your life), are you the driver? Or a passenger watching your life go by? Take control and be proactive!
Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind: define your missions and your goals in life.
Habit 3: Put first things first: prioritize (important first)
Habit 4: Think win-win: have an ‘everyone can win’ attitude
Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Listen to people sincerely.
Habit 6: Synergize: work together to achieve more
Habit 7: Sharpen the saw: renew yourself regularly.
“We become what we repeatedly do.”
Principle-centered: Honesty, service, love, hard-work, respect, gratitude, moderation, fairness, integrity, loyalty, responsibility are all principles. Focus on them.
“If you live by them (habits) you will excel, if you break them, you will fail.”
“If you don’t do your homework, you won’t make your free throws.” — Larry Bind (NBA)
“It’s impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves against the law.”
