7 habits

Pro-activity makes a difference in how you approach situations, decision making and introspection. A proactive thinker is likely to examine themselves and their lives introspectively and look on it objectively with little shirking of responsibility. Whereas a reactive person might look introspectively and see all the outside factors as why they did this or that. Pro-activity is a state of mind that looks upon the choices made in life leading you to where you are. Reactivity might be the person to make excuses or point the finger when confronted with where they are in life. The way we conduct ourselves and our language can clue us in on what type of person we are. Reactive language is often negative and stubborn. I read about it and what came into my head over and over was the phrase, “It is what it is”. That phrase really says to me that the person saying it has not really taken control or responsibility of the situation.

The quote from the first habit I liked was, “If you adopt a pattern of the life that focuses on golden eggs and neglects the goose, you will soon be without the asset that produces the golden eggs”. It is really summing up how the proactive person approaches things to maintain a system and seek out the causes so that they can be directly influenced. As opposed to a reactive person who may see a situation in a negative, one sided, or short term way.

Pro-activity in leadership would look like someone who is very active in problem solving and invested in the outcome of and idea or project. I think that in life I tend towards a proactive thought process but sometimes don't follow through. But part of being proactive is being mindful. I feel that if I push myself towards being accountable to myself will master...

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... and mental state. It is shown that you will make the best decisions when in that state of mind. Your physical, mental and spiritual self all contribute to your success. Implementing his mantras about being responsible and proactive will help to maintain your person and professional health.

Over all I like the broad messages in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I found his anecdotes to be a little gooey and preachy but they helped to give the messages in the book a personal touch. I'm happy that is the book I choose while reading I did feel inner motivation that got me excited to get up and do things in school, with my daughter and around the house. Keeping in mind as I work towards a more professional career I could see coming back to the later chapters when I can hold a more practical knowledge of the later chapters on “First things First” and “Synergy”.