the adventures of pamalicious

Three Day Class offered by the J-O-B  Quite interesting.  Some of it I can use and some of it makes for deeper thinking for this here blog, lol lol

For those interested the Habits are (followed up by my initial thoughts):

The chapters are dedicated to each of the habits, which are represented by the following imperatives:

1. Be Proactive. Here, Covey emphasizes the original sense of the term “proactive” as coined by Victor Frankl. You can either be proactive or reactive when it comes to how you respond to certain things. When you are reactive, you blame other people and circumstances for obstacles or problems. Being proactive means taking responsibility for every aspect of your life. Initiative and taking action will then follow. Covey also argues that man is different from other animals in that he has self-consciousness. He has the ability to detach himself and observe his own self; think about his thoughts. He goes on to say how this attribute enables him: It gives him the power not to be affected by his circumstances. Covey talks about stimulus and response. Between stimulus and response, we have the power of free will to choose our response.
2. Begin with the End In Mind. This chapter is about setting long-term goals based on “true north” principles. Covey recommends formulating a “personal vision statement” to document one’s perception of one’s own vision in life. He sees visualization as an important tool to develop this. He also deals with organizational vision statements, which he claims to be more effective if developed and supported by all members of an organization rather than prescribed.
3. Put First Things First. Here, Covey describes a framework for prioritizing work that is aimed at short-term goals, at the expense of tasks that appear not to be urgent, but are in fact very important. Delegation is presented as an important part of time management. Successful delegation, according to Covey, focuses on results and benchmarks that are to be agreed upon in advance, rather than prescribed as detailed work plans.
4. Think Win/Win describes an attitude whereby mutually beneficial solutions are sought that satisfy the needs of oneself, or, in the case of a conflict, both parties involved. Covey also warns of the consequences of thinking Win/Lose, or Lose/Lose.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Covey warns that giving out advice before having empathetically understood a person and their situation will likely result in rejection of that advice. Thoroughly reading out your own autobiography will decrease the chance of establishing a working communication.
6. Synergize describes a way of working in teams. Apply effective problem solving. Apply collaborative decision making. Value differences. Build on divergent strengths. Leverage creative collaboration. Embrace and leverage innovation. It is put forth that when synergy is pursued as a habit, the result of the teamwork will exceed the sum of what each of the members could have achieved on their own. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
7. Sharpen the saw focuses on balanced self-satisfaction: Regain what Covey calls “production capability” by engaging in carefully selected recreational activities.

How does this fit in my life?  I think that I have my priorities aligned exactly like they should be for my life, yet it scares me.  Why?  Because career is just not up there - so if as I’ve seen time and time again in my studies is not something that appeals to me on an intrinsic level - YET I now have education and have always had skills - exactly how do I translate them into something powerful and productive for me.  How do I ‘interview’ life to find something that I love?  How in the hell did I end up at 40 with no….passion for traditional work. I swear I’m a drifter in my heart - but that doesn’t feed my family.  Career Counseling here I come!!

Another thing is that I wrote my personal mission statement.  What is interesting about this is that CAUN has had one and it actually was the main thing that intrigued me about him as I looked at this page (honestly it really wasn’t his picture)  It states:  “Don’t Let People Rent Space In Your Head, Leaving You No Room To Think”  I have seen this in action with him and I admire tremendously his conviction to believe this. 

Like our differences, his is short and concise and mine is long winded but I now have one:

“2012 will mark five years from the present. Within this timeframe, I intend to reshape the significant core values of my life. Personal Power – defining and staying committed to my personal goals, practicing self love; Intimacy – being a mate, being a friend, be a better sister/daughter/aunt/niece; Search for Meaning – remain true to my inner walk and inner self and Professional Fulfillment – Doing what I love and loving what I do.”