Many people have probably heard about this inspiring book by Stephen R. Covey. I started reading this book, and I’ll admit it is kind of hard to get into, but I just had to put it down. Why? Because the book says to….

I figured that in order to go into college and become an effective psychologist, I should learn how to mold myself into a better person.

Tip: This book should be absorbed as though you will be teaching it to someone else. (That’s why I’m blogging about it.)

Habit One:

Habit one is where I stopped. In the book, Covey explains the this book is not meant to be read through and then stuck on a shelf. You’re supposed to read each concept, then try to adapt it into your life before moving on to the next one. I use this quote as an example for adaption of the first concept.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”  -Aristotle

The first habit revolves around reaction and proactiveness.  Most people don’t realize that we shape our lives with our own reactions to situations.  Some people blame being poor or less fortunate on the way their parents raised them.  Others claim that they are always in a bad mood because they have kids who misbehave or that their relationship with their spouse has gone bad.  These are all things that people hide behind as an excuse to feel bad for themselves.  

So what do you do to change your outcomes and attitude? It’s really simple. You just teach yourself to react in a positive manner.  For example, if you are having a conversation with someone and they disagree with you, don’t get angry, or argue. Be rational and try to see the other person’s point of view.

One other thing that I have found useful, is to start with a clean slate.  Forget if bad things happened to you when you were a kid.  Forget how people think of you. Just start your mind over as if you don’t remember your past.  

I’m already like three weeks in, and positive reacation has become like second nature to me.  Anyways just remain calm in every situation possible. Don’t get angry. Try to do it all cold turkey. You’ll become something better than yourself.

I don’t know how long it will be until I talk about the next habit because I don’t think I’m ready to move on.

Until next time,

Becka