Living Habits #3 and #4

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

All things are created twice - first mentally, second physically. Individuals, families, teams, and organizations shape their own future by creating a mental vision and purpose for any project. They don't just live day to day without a clear purpose in mind. They mentally identify and commit themselves to the principles, values, relationships, and purposes that matter most to them. A mission statement is the highest form of mental creation for an individual, a family , or an organization. It is the primary decision because it governs all other decisions. Creating a culture behind a shared mission, vision, and values is the essence of leadership.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

Thinking win-win is a frame of mind and heart that seeks mutual benefit and is based on mutual respect in all interactions. It's about thining in terms of abundance - an ever-expanding "pie," a cornucopia of opportunity, wealth, and resources - rather than a scarcity and adversarial competition. It's not thinking selfishly (win-lose) or like a martyr (lose-win). In our work and family life, members think interdependently - in terms of "we", not "me." Thinking win-win encourages conflict resolution and helps individuals seek mutually beneficial solutions. It's sharing information, power, recognition, and rewards.


According to the book, the first three habits, the two presented yesterday and habit #3 will allow the individual to achieve private victory. Habit #4 allows the said inidividual to achieve public victory. Those are all interesting habits to get but I am still trying to put the first 2 to use.

I know a lot of you might consider reading this type of book a waste of time and whatever "they" say is good but so hard to do. Any self help book is a "hype" that might only serve as an inspiration for a short time, but later on, you will eventually lose the inspiration. I agree to a certain extend along these kind of thoughts, however, I also believe that what a person make do with knowledge will greatly vary the results. What I do with it is, first learn it, recite it in your heart, take out the part that you feel is best for you, write it out, apply the theory in small situation, review it once a month and after a few months of years, you will find that your mind will slowly think along those terms. Food for thought for today. :)