This habit relates to my leadership development and commitments by reminding me that I'm in charge of me. I "choose" to be a leader. I "choose" to have these leadership responsibilities in my life. I "choose" my commitments. I "get" to lead and initiate change. I "get" to be involved in making a difference. I "get" to respond proactively to unexpected circumstances on a daily basis and I perceive the challenges that come along, with developing as a leader, as opportunities for growth. I "choose" to take advantage of any adversities I may encounter and turn them into opportunities to shine. Along with becoming a leader, come more responsibilities and commitments. Each one is a stepping stone that will help me get a step closer to my goal. In my journey, some challenges will arise that I will not necessarily like at that moment, but I have learned that that's when I grow as a professional even more and I discover strengths I didn't know I possessed. I focus on my circle of influence, nurture it, give it the attention and energy it deserves, and as a result, it increases. It definitely pays off to be proactive! One of the situations at work that I find frustrating is the transition between California State Standards to Common Core. We don't have common core curriculum so we have to be constantly searching for materials and, needless to say, it is time-consuming. That is obviously out of my control. A behavioral change I intend to make is to quit focusing on that because it is not within my circle of influence and instead focus on the fact that I get to experience this transition that makes me more knowledgeable on the new academic expectations through all the research that I am doing. If the materials had just been handed to me, I would not be getting to know the new standards as well as I'm getting to know them through this active research process in which I am engaged. | I have included this picture of my brother because, in my eyes, he practices Habit #1 on a daily basis, not just in his professional life, but in his personal life as well. He chooses to use proactive language and to focus and dedicate time, energy and respect to the people, and circumstances, who are within his circle of influence. As a result, his circle of influence has continued to expand tremendously and people of all ages seek his company, advice, and friendship as he continues to lead by example. He's my definition of success. I intend to teach this habit of being proactive to my students by explaining to them what a circle of influence includes. Once they understand the concept of circle of influence I will explain why it's not worth it to waste their energy, time and attention to anything outside of their circle of influence. Then I will ask them to generate a list of things they need to do. I will point out the difference between reactive and proactive language and I will teach them to replace "I need to" with "I get to". Now they will get to re-read their list of things to do, but this time they will use proactive, rather than reactive, language that will make them feel in control of their activities. The last part of the lesson will require each student to go home and teach this habit to someone in their family. |
5 Comments
Cristal Herrera
2/1/2015 05:25:27 am
Hi Urbie,
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Bill
1/30/2015 12:23:27 am
Cristal,
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Cristal Herrera
2/1/2015 05:31:41 am
Hi Bill,
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Angelica
2/9/2015 02:01:26 pm
Thank you for sharing different aspects of the Habit. Also, thank you to your brother for leading into a path of success and honor.
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Cristal HerreraIncorporating Stephen Covey's 7 Habits into my professional and personal life. Archives
March 2015
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