Be the Change You Wish to See

"Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. 

Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. 

Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. 

Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. 

Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny."

-Unknown Proverb

7 Habits is not a typical book on leadership, but rather an internal focus on individuals becoming people of integrity. The author, Stephen R. Covey, began this book in the 70's, when he was reviewing 200 years of success literature for his doctoral program. And what began as class research turned into one of the most recommended books on self-development and leadership worldwide.

The book begins by explaining that people cannot change the world through their individual perception of things; they must learn to change themselves. It continues with what Covey described as Paradigms, which can be utilized to help break down the issues in order to find an appropriate solution. He also uses an optical illusion-type picture to demonstrate how people can view the same thing differently and both be right. When we understand this concept we learn to appreciate and value others' point of views which, in turn, opens the doors for victory -both as individuals and as teams. Thereby Covey breaks down what he calls the 7 Habits:

1. Be Proactive
• Don’t whine about life’s hardships. What are the things you cannot change, and what are the things you can? Examine the situation and make the alterations that need to be made in order to rise above them. 
2. Begin with the End in Mind
• What do you want to be written in your eulogy? How do you want people to remember you? If you want to be a certain kind of person, then start taking the steps now to become that person. Don’t wait until the end of your life to start making changes. 
3. Put First Things First
• What we say we spend our time doing, and what we actually do with that time are usually very different. In order to live the healthy, relational, and successful lives we crave, we have to get our priorities in order.
4. Think Win/Win
• Don’t use competition as your motivator to get things done. Rather, find out a system where you and others can strengthen one another in your endeavors. This relieves stress and makes everyone a winner. 
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
• Don’t be hasty to jump in with your life-saving advice. Listen to others intently, mentally break down what they are saying, ask them questions that are relevant to the situation, and after you both identify the issue, help them to resolve it. Communication is a key element here in work or relationships. 
6. Synergize
• This habit is built upon the Win/Win principle. This is interdependence. We have to accept the fact that we all need each other to survive; in nature, in health, in relationships, in business… everything! When we recognize this, we can achieve so much more than we ever could by ourselves. 
7. Sharpen the Saw.
• This part is recognizing your weaknesses, and developing good discipline to improve or strengthen them. Without this habit, the other 6 will falter. 

To me, I perceive the habits to be like planting a fruit tree: The first three are the soil of good human character, the rest are the fruit that develops because of that good soil. Each of these habits are actually very practical methods that can strengthen the person we become. These can be tested against very moral and ethical principle, including Scripture, and stand up.

Each habit challenged me in different ways, and I recognize how applying these habits can greatly affect how I function with others -in both my personal life and my ministry. But the two that stood out most were perhaps 3 and 5.

       Habit 3 has been a big help in my life. I have always struggled with goal-setting and
       self-discipline. Applying the four quadrants: Important/Not Important, Urgent/Not
       Urgent, combined with setting SMART Goals, is helping me to establish what my
       priority list needs to look like and how to maintain those priorities. 

       Habit 5 made an immediate impact as I am always quick to try and solve problems
       rather than  taking time to actually think about them. Especially in regards to my
       personal convictions. It has been a struggle for me to understand how to balance out
       my convictions when they differ from others. Habit 5 makes me pause and
       remember to value others more than 'what I know.' So I went back to the optical
       illusion from the introduction and meditated on it. Yes, there are some things that I
       know are Truth. But even if that is so, what good does it do others if I don't see
       things from their perspective and value their hearts? 

Sad Old Woman or Fashionable Young Lady?

Examining these Habits, I realize that I cannot separate my personal integrity from my ministry integrity. If I am not watching my character for my own individual development it could cause great hindrances in my ministry. If I am not seeking to become the person I know God has created me to be now, then I will never be that person at the end of my life, nor will I achieve what He has predestined for me. God gives us a vision, and He gives us the tools, knowledge and wisdom we need to achieve that vision. But He wants us to work for it, because He knows that true victory only comes when we strive for it.

What a privilege that God allows us to become achievers and victors in His kingdom!

By the time I close the book, I'v have already started applying its principles towards both my personal life and in beginning my ministry: I have my eulogy, my values, and my vision, and I am developing a strategy. I know what I need to do to get started, and I have begun.

One of the first things is putting this quote from Ezra Taft Benson on my wall as a reminder:

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. 

The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of people, 

and then they would take themselves out of the slums.

The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, 

who then change their environment. 

The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”