7 habits at the bridge network 2018 full version

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T H E B R I D G E N E T W O R K FA M I LY

I N T R O D U C T I O N B Y S T E P H E N C O V E Y

Our character, basically, is a composite of our habits.

Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, habits constantly express our character and produce our effectiveness - or our in effectiveness.

In the words of Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

I identify here seven habits shared by all truly effective people.

Fortunately, for those of us not born effective (no one is), these habits can be learned.

Furthermore, the collective experience of the ages shows us that acquiring them will give you the character to succeed.

Some years ago, I decided to read all the success literature published in the United States since its beginning in 1776 - hundreds of books, articles, and essays on self-improvement and popular psychology.

I noticed a startling thing:

Almost all the writings that helped build our country in its first 150 years or so identified character as the foundation of success.

The literature of what we might call “The Character Ethic” helped Americans cultivate integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, and the Golden Rule.

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is a prime example.

Compared with the early success literature, the writings of the last 50 years seem superficial to me - filled with social image consciousness, techniques, and quick fixes.

There, the solutions derive not from the Character Ethic, but the Personality Ethic:

Success is a function of public image, of attitudes and behaviors, of skills that lubricate the process of human interaction. I don't say these skills are unimportant.

But they are secondary.

If there isn't deep integrity and fundamental goodness behind what you do, the challenges of life will cause true motives to surface, and human relationship failure will replace short-term success.

As Emerson once put it, “What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say.”

Changing our habits to improve what we are can be a painful process.

It must be motivated by a higher purpose, and by the willingness to subordinate what you think you want now for what you know you want later.

As you open the gates of change to give yourself new habits, be patient with yourself This is not a quick fix. But I assure you that you will see immediate benefits. And if you see the whole picture clearly, you'll have the perseverance to see the process to its conclusion.

Have faith - it's worth the effort. Remember what Thomas Paine said: “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; ‘tis dearness only which gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods.”

J U S T I N G A S B A R R E J U N E 8 , 2 0 1 5

Renowned as the world’s premier personal leadership development solution, the new 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Signature Edition 4.0 aligns timeless principles of effectiveness with modern technology and practices.

I N T R O D U C T I O N

• No matter how competent a person is, he or she will not have sustained and lasting success unless they are able to effectively lead themselves, influence, engage and collaborate with others, and continually improve and renew their capabilities.

• These elements are at the heart of personal, team, and organizational effectiveness.

T H E 7 H A B I T S O F H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E P E O P L E D E V E L O P S L E A D E R S H I P E F F E C T I V E N E S S AT T H R E E L E V E L S :

I N D I V I D U A L :

• Develop increased maturity, greater productivity, and the ability to manage one’s self.

• Execute critical priorities with laser-like focus and careful planning.

T E A M :

• Increase team engagement, morale, and collaboration.

• Improve communication skills and strengthen relationships.

O R G A N I Z AT I O N A L :

• Create a framework for developing core values and creating a highly effective culture.

• Develop current and high-potential leaders who model both character and competence.

T H E 7 H A B I T S O B J E C T I V E S :

HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE

• Assume responsibility, focus, and act on what can be controlled and influenced, instead of what can’t.

HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND®

• Define clear measures of success and create a plan to achieve them for both life and work.

HABIT 3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST®

• Prioritize and achieve the most important goals instead of constantly reacting to urgencies.

HABIT 4: THINK WIN-WIN

• Collaborate more effectively with others by building high-trust relationships of mutual benefit.

HABIT 5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD®

• Influence others by developing a deep understanding of their needs and perspectives.

HABIT 6: SYNERGIZE

• Develop innovative solutions that leverage diversity and satisfy all key stakeholders.

HABIT 7: SHARPEN THE SAW

• Increase motivation, energy, and work/life balance by making time for renewal activities.

T H E A D U LT C H U R C H

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7 H A B I T S O F H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E C H R I S T I A N S

– R A B B I E L I YA H U YA A K O V

“How the fundamental principles of his groundbreaking book can be found in Judaic sources.”

S T E P H E N C O V E Y & T H E J E W I S H 7 H A B I T S

When I read Stephen Covey’s legendary work, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, I was taken aback as I began to list off Torah sources in my head for the principles Covey was so eloquently describing.

S T E P H E N C O V E Y & T H E J E W I S H 7 H A B I T S

Then it dawned on me that it should come as no surprise that Covey’s habits can be found in Torah sources.

After all, the Hebrew phrase “Torat Chaim” means teachings for life – wisdom for living, and if these principles contain truth, they should be found in the Torah.

“If you want to achieve what you have never achieved before, you simply have to start doing things you have never done before”, says acclaimed author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and speaker, Steven Covey.

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T H E T E E N S C H U R C H

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T H E 7 H A B I T S O F H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E M A R R I A G E

S T E P H E N C O V E Y

T H E 7 H A B I T S O F H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E M A R R I A G E

There are certain fundamental principles that govern in all human interactions and living in harmony with those principles or natural laws is absolutely essential for quality family life.

Dr. Stephen R. Covey has watched over the past 50 years how the situation for marriage and family has changed powerfully and dramatically.

C O N S I D E R T H E F O L L O W I N G :

A- Illegitimate birth rates have increased more than 400 percent.

A- The percentage of families headed by a single parent has more than tripled.

A- The divorce rate has more than doubled. Many project that about half of all new marriages will end in divorce.

A- Teenage suicide has increased almost 300 percent.

C O N S I D E R T H E F O L L O W I N G :

A- Scholastic Aptitude Test scores among all students have dropped 73 points.

A- The number one health problem for American women today is domestic violence. Four million women are beaten each year by their partners.

A- In the midst of all this, the percentage of families with one parent at home with the children during the day has dropped from 66.7 to 16.9 percent.

The challenge has changed in our society affecting our homes and marriages, so we must develop a response that is equal to the challenge.

The desire to create a strong marriage and family is not enough. We need a new mind-set, a new skill-set and a new tool-set to deal with the change.

The challenge has taken a quantum leap, and if we are to respond effectively, so must we.

The 7 Habits framework represents just such a mind-set and skill-set. Many couples and families are using the principles in the 7 Habits framework to grow stronger and stay on track.

T H E 7 H A B I T S O F H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E FA M I L I E S

S T E P H E N R . C O V E Y

T H E 7 H A B I T S O F H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E FA M I L I E S

Stephen Covey, grandfather and father of nine children, is the celebrated author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, First Things First, and several other well-known management books. 

This book applies the seven habits to the family.  Or, alternatively, it organizes his recommendations for the family under the seven topics. 

T H E 7 H A B I T S O F H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E FA M I L I E S

This book contains much practical wisdom.  It is full of illustrative stories that really make the points. 

It will be very helpful for people who are naturally organized and goal oriented and almost impossible for those who are unstructured. 

“When we’re trying to live what we believe, struggling but moving in the right direction, our children will usually accept our values.” (4)

“Parenting is basically a life of sacrifice.” (5)

“The key is in having a destination, a flight plan, and a compass. (10)

“What you can envision for the future ... is more powerful than ... whatever situation you are confronting in the present.” (12)

“All true and lasting change occurs from the inside out.”  Instead of trying to change the situation or your child, go to work on yourself.  (15)

You need a basic framework of fundamental principles that you can apply in any situation. (18)

Effective families mean families with a beautiful family culture. (20)

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T H E B R I D G E N E T W O R K FA M I LY