Seven Habits of Faithful and Effective People

In the last two blogs (All I Needed to Know I Learned in... Sunday School? and Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... Just Rejoice and be Glad! ) we looked at a couple of life directional books All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff....and it’s all small stuff by Richard Carlson. In this blog entry I will finish off my three part examination of secular books that are considered as guideposts for life, giving direction with suggested traits, thoughts or habits. They help point in the way we should go and do so with ideas that can be found or supported by the Word of God.

The third book is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. It was first published in 1989 and is a self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey. It has sold more than 15 million copies in 38 languages since its first publication. Covey presents an approach to being effective in attaining goals by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north" principles of a character ethic that he presents as universal and timeless (can you say Biblical?).

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Faithful and Effective People
Can be One and the Same

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Here are Covey's Seven Habits:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive
• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
• Habit 3: Put First Things First
• Habit 4: Think Win-Win
• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
• Habit 6: Synergize
• Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Independence or Self-Mastery - The First Three Habits surround moving from dependence to independence:

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Related Biblical principles:

• Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) - Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
• Psalms 34:14 (NIV) - Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
• Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) - Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

Synopsis: Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with life's principles) are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Take responsibility for your choices and the subsequent consequences that follow.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Related Biblical principles:

• Luke 14:28 (NKJV) - "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has [enough] to finish [it]."
• Proverbs 15:22 (NIV) - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
• Galatians 6:9 (NIV) - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
• James 1:4 (NIV) - Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Synopsis: Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life.

Habit 3: Put First Things First
Related Biblical principles:

• Matthew 6:33 (NIV) - But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
• Matthew 6:25 (NIV) - "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
• Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) - The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
• Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Synopsis: Plan, prioritize, and execute your week's tasks based on importance rather than urgency. Evaluate whether your efforts exemplify your desired character values, propel you toward goals, and enrich the roles and relationships that were elaborated in Habit 2.

Interdependence - The next three have to do with Interdependence:

Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Related Biblical principles:

• Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) - A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
• 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NIV) - To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
• Romans 14:19 (NIV) - Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Synopsis: Genuinely strive for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect people by understanding a "win" for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person in the situation had gotten his way.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Related Biblical principles:

• Psalms 119:27 (NIV) - Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.
• Matthew 15:10 (NIV) - Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Listen and understand."
• Proverbs 1:5 (NIV) - Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.
• Proverbs 4:1 (NIV) - Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Synopsis: Use empathetic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to reciprocate the listening and take an open mind to being influenced by you. This creates an atmosphere of caring, respect, and positive problem solving.

Habit 6: Synergize
Related Biblical principles:

• 1 Corinthians 3:8 (NLT) - The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.
• 3 John 1:8 (NIV) - We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
• Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
• Luke 12:21 (NLT) - "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

Synopsis: Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals no one person could have done alone. Get the best performance out of a group of people through encouraging meaningful contribution, and modeling inspirational and supportive leadership.

Self Renewal - The Last habit relates to self-rejuvenation:

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Related Biblical principles:

• Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NLT) - Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
• Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
• Proverbs 15:30 (NIV) - A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
• Ephesians 4:23 (NLT) - Let the Spirit {of God] renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Synopsis: Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle.

It is possible to be both faithful and effective in the Business World and in Life. We will be more successful overall if we consider and respect others, work for the good of all and not just ourselves, and remember what is truly important - the purpose and meaning of our lives - to love God.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) - Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.