We all know that in life our character is a composite of our habits. The maxim goes like “Sow a thought, reap an action, sow an action, reap a habit, sow a character, and reap a destiny.” Small wonder some people glide effortlessly onwards and upwards at work, and so in life. They excel because of their distinguished and dignified habits. In order to make something a habit in our life, we have to have some basic principles often based on our own observations. Here are some important habitual traits that influence our objectives and goals towards a definite purpose in our life.
Be Proactive
It all starts with our self awareness that enables us to stand tall in the crowd and examines the way we ‘see’ ourselves. It leads us to see beyond, listen beyond and act beyond in any environment. It makes us understand that we are responsible for our lives. It denotes the most basic habits of a successful people, the habit of proactivity. One excellent way to become more proactive is to look at where we focus our time and energy. Being proactive means you should take care to put all your efforts in the circle of influence. You should nurture your energy towards fulfilling your own ability. Your proactive approach that teaches you to see things in new light helps you to break the shackle of all your problems within the circle of influence.
Begin with the end in Mind
Being a rational and disciplined being we plan everything at before hand. We are able to establish contact with our inner guidance system at the heart of our circle of influence. And thus starts the habit ‘ ‘to begin with the end in mind’. Simply put it is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of our life as our frame of reference or the criterion by which everything else is examined. This habit is revolved around the principle of personal leadership, which means that leadership is the first creation and it is very much important to lead our own notion and actions ahead. This habit also demands to approach to our principle roles in the family or in the business as well as our other roles in life, with our values and directions clear.
Put First things First
Whatever endeavour we take, first flashes in our mind frame. We see the possibility of its potential in the light of our own conscience. It is called mental creation that we cautiously integrate in our brain. There is second creation we call it physical creation. It is the exercise of independent will towards becoming principle centered. We are in a habit to put first things first by practicing effective self-management. Self-management that is the breaking down, the time-bound left brain aspect of effective self-government.
Have a plan
Most of us don’t practice concrete planning methodologies for our works, and that is why we fail. To write success in our life or business, we must follow a definite course of actions- long terms or short term. Long term plans can be easy to narrate, they are sensible and workable but it should be realistic and in tune with our capabilities no more, no less. On the other hand, short term plan vary according to our time span and urgency. Both these plans should be devised to put into action and make them happen.
Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Communication is one of the most important skills in life. If we want to interact effectively with others, to influence others, we first need to understand them. “Seek first to understand” involves a very deep shift in paradigm. We often seek first to be understood. Most of us do not listen with the intent to understand, we listen with the intent to reply. When another person speaks, we are usually “listening’ at one of four levels. According to communication experts in empathic listening, we listen with our eyes and with our heart. We listen for feeling, for meaning. We can always seek first to understand. That’s something within our control. And as we do that, as we focus on our circle of influence, we really, deeply understand other people. We get to the heart, of matters. We talk with each other quickly. We give people the psychological air they need so we can work together effectively.
Set personal standards
There are state-of-the-standard rules and dictums. Then there are state-of-the-individual norms that we set according to our own ethos and envision. These norms are the reflection of our own being and remain our guiding force all through. Just jot down your own set of rules that you will try to abide by. We may need or have a better set for our personal conduct; it should bracket superior traits that comprise positive and proactive elements we need to network and nurture. We must endeavour to be the very, very best we can at all times.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
