Big Idea Daily | The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

by Stephen R. Covey

“What one thing could you do in your personal and professional life that, if you did on a regular basis, would make a tremendous positive difference in your life? Quadrant II activities have that kind of impact. Our effectiveness takes quantum leaps when we do them.”

STEPHEN R. COVEY

BIG IDEA
Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind

FROM THE BOOK

“Begin with the end in mind” is based on the principle that all things are created twice.

There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things.”

Brian's Notes

“Begin with the end in mind.” It’s Habit #2.

The idea is very simple: All great things (well, technically, all things good or bad) are created twice: First in the mind and then in reality. FIRST, we must get clear on what we want. Then we create it in reality.

Think of building a house. What’s the first step? You discuss with your architect what you want to see and make some blueprints, right? You don’t just bring in the construction team and get at it, do you? So why in the world don’t we do that in our lives?!?!

It’s stunning to me how little time we spend getting really clear on what we want—whether it’s with a specific project at work or in our life in general. Ironically, we’re typically MUCH better at planning a project at a job we hate than planning a life to create a job we love.

And, the greatest irony? Most of us spend the greatest amount of time “blue-printing” our vacations to escape the dread of our day-to-day grind. Imagine if, instead, we spent that time planning our ideal lives so we didn’t need to escape on vacation so desperately.

* slaps head *

* steps off soap box *

It’s rather simple: Get clear on your highest “end” goals and line up every thing you do today (and tomorrow and …) to be in integrity with these ideals. If you tell me you want to be recognized as a kind, generous, loving person who always had time for her family, then guess what? BE a kind, generous, loving woman who always has time for her family NOW.

Let’s begin with the end in mind and live with integrity to our ideals as we transform our lives.

Funerals

Imagine going to the funeral of a loved one. You’re getting out of your car, walking into the chapel or funeral parlor. You see the flowers and the other people entering. You feel the sadness of loss and the joy of having known. Feel into that.

You walk to the front and look into the casket and suddenly come face to face with yourself. You realize this is your funeral. Feel that. You sit down and look at the program in your hand—reading the description of your life and seeing the people who will be talking about you. What do they say? How does the program capture your life? What do your closest loved ones say about you? Your spouse or children? Your friends and colleagues?

…Now, fast-forward xx years from today. Imagine that scene of your own funeral. You have that program in your hand. What does it say? You watch your loved ones get up and speak about you and their love for you. What do they say? Who were you in their eyes?

Take some time today/this week (right now?!?) to sit down and really reflect on this. It’s a *really* powerful way to gain clarity on your highest values.

Big Ideas

01: HABIT #1: BE PROACTIVE

02: HABIT #2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

03: HABIT #3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST

04: HABIT #4: THINK WIN/WIN

05: HABIT #5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES

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