What we imagine becomes a physical manifestation. We need to have a blueprint of our personal goals, career goals, fitness goals, etc. Our imagination should not be limited by our current reality. Our current reality is a result of our past words, beliefs, and actions, not our current ones. Now that we are learning about Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind, I commit to the following behavioral changes:
1st--> Create a Personal Mission Statement AND share it with others. Not only will it keep me focused and in alignment with my goals, but by sharing it with others, if I become sidetracked they can be a source of support and encouragement so I can more easily get back on track.
2nd-->I commit to being more careful with what I say because sometimes I say things that are not in alignment with what I really believe just because at the moment I'm feeling frustrated. When I'm frustrated, I will say negative things that not only go against my beliefs, but also against my actions. It's easier to say things out of frustration then it is to do things out of frustration. My actions and beliefs seem to be in alignment a lot more often than my words when I'm frustrated.
3rd-->In order to be a strong and efficient leader, I commit to being more aware of my actions, beliefs and words in order to lead by example and continue to increase my sphere of influence.
I plan to teach Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind to my students through mini-goal setting sessions. One example of this is as follows: I will ask them to write their current reading level on the corner of a piece of construction paper. Then on the corner diagonal to it, they will write down the reading level they wish to be at. They will proceed by creating a curvy pathway from where they currently stand to where they wish to be in the near future. On this pathway, they will write down at least three different actions they could take that will help them reach their new reading goal. I will give them examples of how their actions, beliefs and words they speak are in alignment with their goals. Will their actions, beliefs and words help them get to their new goals, or will they take them in a completely different direction? If they discover that their current beliefs, actions and words are not getting them closer to their goals, I will help them replace them with new ones that WILL serve them.
I will also teach Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind by helping my students create their own Mission Statement and then guiding them in the creation of a class mission statement.
It is definitely a flexible work in progress and as we go along, I will think of other creative and engaging ways of teaching my students Habit 2.