To review, habit one in Steven Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – which purports to give us insight into those habits of the successful – details the principle of being proactive with one’s choices. It further suggests, reasonably so, that each of us in the First World are in charge of our own lives; that we are the creators, to a degree, of our own destiny. Habit two was about the creation of that destiny, beginning with the end in mind.
Habit three, indicates that one should “put first things first”, realizing the real-world execution of the aforementioned first two habits. This habit is apparently where habits one and two are supposed to come together.
The book spends what seems like an eternity on what should be intuitive to anyone with any amount of intellect at all, and especially anyone with any degree of experience in life management, with a splash of time management thrown in. Yet there it is, all in black and white ‘n’ all diced up into quadrants, with each of ‘em being given important looking roman numerals.
Look; for certain, life and time move forward moment-by-moment and day-by-day, day in and day out. Depending upon many factors, but commencing with those that relate to “making more monie”, or, for example, your primary job, we all know what we are hired to do or what service to provide. With respect to life/time management, I say (again), just do it, and do it all, whatever “all” is, in the most efficient way possible, but until that which one’s paid for is dealt with, no one has the luxury of considering, let alone acting in accordance with, one’s purpose or values in determining what should “come first” personally.
Post immediate responsibilities to one’s employer or customer, yes, there are things that should be done first chronologically, but also requiring factored in are those based upon the first, or highest, ethical or principled value. These “first things”, are those things each of us, personally, find value – in all of its forms – in. In putting first things first using both of these criteria, you are organizing and managing time and events according to the personal priorities you established in habit two. Related to this, by the way, none of us at Make More Monie would ever suggest that there is a moral minimum one must or should maintain; one’s level or version of principals and/or ethics should be entirely up to them. Each knows – or certainly should know – what we should and shouldn’t do. We say, live accordingly.
For me – and I think for much of the rest of the First World’s successful population – all of its pushing of ethics does not figure prominently or in the forefront of my mind while making decisions. Not because I’m unscrupulous, but simply because I never have to consciously think about it. I simply make moral decisions because a) it’s the right thing to do, b) I’m wired that way, and c) I find that I sleep better at night living like that. Besides, I don’t want to ever give anyone a reason to want to wish me or those I care about ill. I also find that if I’m taking a highly moral and/or ethical position on anything, I have far more courage, energy, conviction, etc. when debating, planning or pursuing it. I also don’t require sermonizing ad nauseam to “just do it”!
Lastly, to live a more balanced existence, we all know and recognize that not doing everything asked of us in our personal lives is okay. It’s all right to say no, and then once said, own it by forgetting about it, focusing on your highest priorities. These first three of Stephen Covey’s habits of highly effective people are easy to adopt. For certain, anyone can be proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and put first things first, we just don’t need convoluted – not to mention costly – coaching from anyone or any entity to do so.
Equally and significantly, at Make More Monie, we counsel each and every one of our mentees – not to mention those that may also one day be – to put first things first by “just doing it”, and dare the First World to try and stop you!
Disclaimer: The information contained herein should not be construed or considered professional advice. Nonetheless, thanks for reading! If it resonates, there’s “plenty more where that came from” on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X ‘n’ YouTube.