W07 - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The first time I read about the 7 habits I was 20 years old and preparing to go into the mission field. I still remember it. I was fascinated by the simplicity and directness of Stephen Covey’s words. It answered a very specific question that was on my mind and my heart, why can’t I seem to get things done?

See, if you were to use three words to describe me from the ages of 12 to 18, those words would have been: Athlete, Lazy, and unaccomplished. If it didn’t happen on a baseball field, I didn’t care about it. But after high school, I was lost. I had no plan, no direction, and way too much time to think. It’s not that I didn’t have ambitions, it was that I had no idea how to get myself together. So, a month before I put in my mission papers, I read a book I saw on my dads’ desk… 7 habits of Highly Effective People. Then I read it again (I’ve always been a very fast reader). In fact, I read it 3 times the first week. Then… I went out and bought a notebook and made my own planner.

It was the only book I read, other than the scriptures, for more than three years, and I’ve read it many times during the last 25 years. If I was going on a trip to the moon and I could only bring 5 books with me, 7 Habits would be on the list.

For me, the habit that I have been most aware of in my life is number 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. The more I’ve applied this habit in my life, the stronger and better relationships I’ve developed. A more recent development is that I've been able to listen to the spirit more effectively than I ever have before. I think it’s because I am trying to be an active listener to the Holy Ghost and God recognizes that. I’ve learned that people have different perspectives and ideals and that it’s far easier to learn empathy when we truly practice habit number 5. I’ve also learned there is no point in arguing with someone that is just listening to reply.

These 7 habits have helped my on the journey of becoming a better person. While I believe that habit number 5 is the one I have had the most positive change with, every single habit has helped me improve myself in individual ways and when I focus on putting them together. I’ve learned the power of proposing mutually beneficial solutions (think win-win), on partnering with diverse people (synergize), and, most recently, learned the value of sharpening the saw during a period of where I simply focused on showing more gratitude in my prayers.

Perhaps I’m looking at things too simply, but I will testify that the 7 habits were inspired of God for all mankind. That they are a way for use to develop ourselves in this life and become the best we can. I believe God reaches out to his children in many ways, not just in obviously spiritual ways and the Steven Covey’s book is evidence of that.