The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
• Be Proactive (responsible, independent, imaginative, self-aware)
• Begin with the end in mind (conceptualization, visualization, creation)
• Put first things first (time management, start with matters of importance)
• Think Win/Win (mutual benefit, successful, integrity, maturity)
• Seek first to understand, then to be understood (good listener, communication)
• Synergize (communication, cooperation, trust)
• Sharpen the saw (re-energize, relax, be of service)
— The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Richards Covey (1932-2012) American Educator
What is your Principled “guiding sense of … right behavior?” Take a moment to ponder it. Even if it does not sound quite right (maybe especially) write it down so you can revisit it on your birthday or when thinking what to project for your New Year’s resolution(s).
Read the difference between Effective and efficient. I usually strive for efficiency, but as I get older, the dogged persistence of effectiveness seems to take the day.
Peace,
Jim
PRINCIPLED
Definition: an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct; a guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right behavior
EFFECTIVE
Definitions: (1) producing a definite, decisive, or desired result; (2) in effect; operative; active; (3) making a striking impression
Synonyms: conclusive, convincing, forcible, influential, potent
Note: Effective versus Efficient: Effective is used regarding the accomplishment of things; getting something done no matter if it’s done efficiently or not. Efficient means getting things done with the least amount of effort and time.
Quote:
Just think of the advantage that the first warm-blooded mammal would have had at night, all the reptiles cooled down to somnolence unable to defend themselves. And all because of an abnormally inefficient animal (by cold-blooded standards!) that wasted energy by metabolizing food when it wasn’t needed for movement. But this kept body temperature up and so the animal was pleasantly surprised by all the sleepy prey he encountered, which more than made up for all the wasted energy. The next time that you hear an evolutionary argument based on efficiency, remember those profligate warm-blooded animals. — William H. Calvin (1939 – ) The River That Flows Uphill
