Classes Based on Stephen Covey's, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Two class series — one for adults and one for teens — based on Stephen Covey and Sean Covey's books
SUMMARY POINTS AND QUESTIONS
For Youth and Adults
Question
How will applying these 7 Habits help us identify & use our talents better?
Exercise
"Invitations and Choices: We live in a society that claims we have unlimited choices 'to be whatever we want to be.'" However: our readings today invite us to consider carefully the choices we make because choices shape both our present reality and our future possibilities." Small groups discuss one habit and report to class how it can relate to the choices we make. How do these habits help with WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) questions?
Intro: Like airplanes: “You’re Going to Be ‘Off Track’ 90% of the Time. So What?”
- pp. 3-8
- [Sean: Paradigms and Principles: What You See Is What You Get, p. 11]
- GPA
Habit 1: Be Proactive rather than reactive
- pp. 27-69
- [Sean: I am the Force, p. 47]
- ACT
- “Becoming an Agent of change in Your Family”
- “Habit 1: Be Proactive: be responsible: the most fundamental decision of all”
- Principles of Personal Vision [The endowment of self-knowledge or self-awareness]
- Key question for Habit 1: “Are my actions based upon self-chosen values or upon my moods, feelings, and circumstances?
- More on Habit 1
Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind
- pp. 70-112
- [Sean: Control Your Own Destiny“Developing a Family Mission Statement” or Someone Else Will, p. 73]
- Principles of Personal Leadership [The endowment of imagination and conscience]
- GOAL
- Key question for Habit 2: “Have I written a personal mission statement which provides meaning, purpose, and direction to my life? Do my actions flow from my mission?" “What will your life be about? Your Mission Statement.”
- More on Habit 2
Habit 3: Put First Things First
- pp. 113-168
- [See Covey's First Things First]
- 1ST
- “Making Family a Priority in a Turbulent World”
- Principles of Personal Management [The endowment of willpower]
- [Sean: Will & Won't Power, p. 105],
- Key question for Habit 3: “Am I able to say no to the unimportant, no matter how urgent, and yes to the important?" “The tactical: how to make ‘first things’ happen.”
- More on Habit 3
Habit 4: Think “Win-Win”
- pp. 169-200 [See Covey's: Principle-Centered Leadership]
- “Moving from ‘Me’ to ‘We.’” [Sean: Life is an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, p. 145)
- LEAD
- “From ‘win-lose’ or ‘lose-win’ to ‘win-win’ with ‘win-win agreements’.”
- Principles of Integrated Leadership [The endowment of an abundance mentality]
- Key question for Habit 4: "Am I able to say no to the unimportant, no matter how urgent, and yes to the important?" “The root habit: mutual benefit, Golden Rule.”
- More on Habit 4
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand ... Then to be Understood
- pp. 201-246 U2U
- "Solving Family Problems Through Empathic Communication.”
- Principles of Everyday Communication [The endowment of courage balanced with consideration]
- Key question for Habit 5: "Do I avoid autobiographical responses and instead faithfully reflect my understanding of the other person before seeking to be understood?" “This is the route habit: method, pathway to interdependent action.”
- [Sean: You have 2 ears & 1 mouth ... Hel - lo! p. 163]
- More on Habit 5
Habit 6: Synergize
- pp. 247-275
- [Sean: The "High" Way, p. 181]
- "Building Family Unity Through Celebrating Differences" Collaborate
- Principles of Creative Cooperation [The endowment of creativity]
- Key question for Habit 6: "Do I value different opinions, viewpoints, and perspectives of others when seeking solutions?"
- More on Habit 6
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
- pp. 276-312 [Sean: It's "Me Time", p. 205]
- Renew
- “Renewing the Family Spirit Through Traditions”
- Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal [The endowment of continuous improvement or self-renewal]
- Key question for Habit 7: “Am I engaged in continuous improvement in the physical, mental, spiritual, and social/’emotional dimensions of my life?”
- More on Habit 7
Conclusion: From Survival to Stability to Success to Significance
- pp. 313-364
- [Sean: Keep hope alive: Kid, You'll Move Mountains, p. 243]
- LEAD
- “Family Destinations”
- “The Four Roles of Principle-Centered Family Leadership”
- Teaching (empowering), Organizing (aligning), Mentoring (relationship of respect and care), and Modeling (setting examples of trustworthiness)
- “Three Mistakes” - “The Trim Tab Factor” - “Letting Go”
- “Experiencing and Applying the 7 Habits Framework in Your Own Situation”
- “The Seven Habits Family Worksheet: Applying Principles to Your Challenges”
- “Courage ... Love ... Humility”
Other Covey concepts:
- The Emotional Bank Account
- Quadrant II Time Management Matrix
- Principle centered leadership (home or work)
- Alignment of self with others, principles, habits
- Saw sharpening family renewal: physical, mental, social/emotional, spiritual
- Destinations: Survival to Stability to Success to Significance
- The Four Roles of Principle-Centered Family Leadership: Teaching (empowering), Organizing (aligning), Mentoring (relationship of respect and care), & Modeling (setting examples of trustworthiness)
- Franklin Covey Co. vision statement: "To teach people to teach themselves and become independent of the company."