7 Habits of Highly Effective People
iLEAD Schools embrace the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, from the book by Dr. Stephen R. Covey. Published in 1989, it is one of the best-selling books of all time. The habits are simple and based on principles that stand the test of time. Principles are akin to lighthouses — the waves may crash against them, the wind may howl around them, but they remain steadfast. We will be introducing the 7 Habits in the Monday Message and, for those interested, offer suggestions on how to introduce them to your family.
Habit 1 is Be Proactive. This is the habit of choice. Victor Frankl once wrote, “When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” We are not, then, a product of our circumstances but a product of our choices. We can choose our responses to the challenges that present themselves in our lives. We can, as Dr. Covey explains, “Create our own weather.”
In other words, being proactive means thinking ahead and being prepared. We are free to choose and are responsible for our choices. Here is the paradigm: “I can pause between the stimulus and my response. I can choose how to react based upon principles. As a result, I am more self-aware, I use more proactive language, I can take greater initiative, and I can be a creative force in my own life.”
How can we apply this habit while teaching in our homes? We can use everyday circumstances to empower our learners to make good choices. When we see this happening, we name it and praise it. When your child needs guidance in this area, we ask the right questions to help them see that there is much they can do to solve their own problem or alleviate their current circumstances. Don’t understand a math concept? What questions or activities might be involved in order to grow in understanding?
Suggested Activity: Try to pinpoint a time when your child is not being proactive. Then ask questions to see if you can help your child be proactive in changing a situation with his actions. When your child successfully changes his course, discuss the habit of being proactive.
