“Begin with the end in mind,” is Dr. Steven Covey’s Habit #2 in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
This ‘habit’ teaches us the value of having a clear picture of the end of our life, and the roles we have filled in our family, our career or profession, our friendships and our community. With this clear understanding of our values and how we would like our life to be played out, we have a frame of reference or a guide to which all decisions and choices can be based.
When we spend time on leadership we think deeply about our vision of life, allowing us to act on the thinking and do the right things.
If we can recognize that all things are created twice, once in the mental form and then in the physical form, and take responsibility for both, we can act within and enlarge the borders of our own circle of influence. Like building a house, we prepare the blueprints first. Like taking a trip, we prepare the travel arrangements first. Like giving a seminar, we plan out the content first. Similarly in life, we are either behaving as a second design to our own proactive design, or we are reacting to other people’s perceptions, agendas, current circumstances or previous habits.
In Habit 1- Be Proactive we learn that we are the creators of our own lives. In Habit 2, we are putting together the first part of the creation in our minds. We are leading our lives down the path that we choose, first by becoming very clear on our values and roles in each area of our lives.
Management works within the system. Leadership works on the system. Rather than doing things rights, you need to ensure that you are doing the rights things.
For example, implementing leadership into my personal life could mean that, despite the busyness, it is important to make time to listen to my family members, seek to understand them, and make sufficient time to teach them values.
A professional example for implementing leadership may be doing some long range planning to ensure that you are clear about what you want from your profession and its balance within your personal life. Many people climb the ladder of success only to reach the top and celebrate an empty victory. They realize that their ladder was leaning against the wrong wall and their success has cost them a high price of disconnected family relationships, spouses, or the bond with their children.
July is a perfect time to implement leadership strategies in your life. Make time to mentally create your blueprint for success, including your health, family, profession, friendships and community contributions. See it, feel it, believe it and live it.
Best wishes for leadership,
Penny
