Have you read the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R Covey? If you have… congratulations. You have done something I have not. It’s not that I haven’t had the desire, or the time, or that I haven’t tried… I just never get past habit number 2: Begin with the End in Mind…. So I’ve never finished the book. You see, Covey has created a strategic, multi-layered tool to analyze a person’s effectiveness.
Layer A: Action. Did you get past habit 2 and finish the book? If yes, continue to Layer B. If no, consider yourself highly ineffective.
Layer B: Embodiment. Did you incorporate the habits into you life? If yes, continue to Layer C. If no, consider yourself ineffective.
Layer C: Chocolate. Who can have layered anything without chocolate??? Consider yourself highly effective.
(I guess you could quiz your family and friends, "Hey Johnny! Are you H.E.P. A, B, or C?" )
But what’s with all the guesswork? Covey should have written a prequel, entitled: “2 Habits of Highly INeffective People”. It would include the first two habits of “7 habits…”, and then end. On the last page would be one solitary sentence: “You’ve got nothin’… you’re S.O.L.”
Imagine all the people who have tried to read “7 habits…”, think of how they have felt… like a failure for not even finishing a book… and ineffective for not even being a real person. And now! Imagine them reading “2 habits…”… imagine them turning that last page, closing the cover, and holding it close to their hearts. The feeling of accomplishment! The feeling of a glossy, thick spine! The feeling of… uh… accomplishment!
Sure, they’ve just been told they’re a loser, that they’ll never amount to anything, that their only contribution to society will be dying so the city can hire someone to bury them so unemployment rates will decrease… sure, they’re highly ineffective people, but at least they’re highly ineffective people who can finish a book!
ps- I'm H.E.P. A! (gives thumbs up!)
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2 comments:
wowsa bart... no words.
Well only highly effective people read those books so they can pat themselves on the back and say to themselves, 'see, I'm better than all those 'other' people" or, they read the whole book and feel totally overwhelmed and then write a blog like you just did. Or, not finish, as you just said, because they figure, what's the use.
All people have something to offer, and I'm not trying to make you or the rest of us who've never finished Covey's book, 'feel better.' Only we can make ourselves into what we want to be. We are the only person who has control of that. Love yourself Bart and realize that you are ONE phenomenal person who has so much to offer this world. Covey does not define you or anyone else.
Ok, end of lecture. (sent to you and all of us ineffective people with love and admiration)
Life ain't easy!
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