So I am reading Stephen Covey’s Book First Things First. Basically the story behind his progression of books goes 7 Habits, First Things First, Examples of 7 Habits, and the Eighth Habit. I read them in the order of 7 Habits, 8th Habit, Examples (Highly redundant as most had been incorporated in my revised version of 7 Habits) and now First Things First.
This book has dealt with how to handle and set priorities for actions in our life. It focuses on Habit 3 of the private victory which is put First Things First. In it as before covey prompts us to access our roles in life and envision what we would like people to see us as at our anniversary or funeral. It aims to help us begin with the end in mine and further define out mission.
This is probably one of the toughest things for me to do. I think it is mainly because I don’t want to face the difference between how I want people to see me and how I actually act. I am sure another aspect of this has to do with the fact that I am not sure that if I identify the person who I want to be that I will be able to achieve that goal. I am confident I could achieve the goal it is just that I don’t know if I am ready to put in that effort.
That is a terrible statement to make but I think it is very true. On my last night in Wellington I was given a great pep talk by Ross. I call it a pep talk not in a you can do it type but more in this is the change I have seen in you and what I see in your future. It is weird how much those conversations can affect me. When I need them the most, which seems to be every 3-4 months or so, they revitalize my spirit and remind me what life is all about. So I am very thankful for that because I spend a lot of time with myself and I can’t always determine how or if I am growing.
My dad has provided me with most of these speeches and impressions of wisdom throughout my life. And to be honest I am really looking forward to having dinner with him my first night home. I guess it is the way he is so honest that really makes it hit home. And his advice normally takes multiple factors into account that I haven’t even considered. To top it off he is usually right.
But I digress as my mind often does. But such is life, correct. I am know going to do my best to identify at least 2 roles in my life and then set what I would like people to see in me.
Friend: I want to be seen as a fun, caring, dependable, trustworthy, genuine friend. I want to involve other people in my life and continue to learn and meet different people.
Student: I want to be seen as a challenging, critical thinking student who appreciates the detail and its relation to the whole. I want to be seen as making a positive impact in multiple areas of student life both inside and outside of the classroom.
Employee: I want to position myself to be successful in a rewarding career in a field of my choosing.
Son: I want to be honest, loving, and thankful. A reflection of the hard work my parents have put in to raising me.
Brother: I want to be dependable, loving, and concerned.
I write these not to break down my life into little parts but to provide perspectives and paradigms in which to evaluate and live a balanced life. That actually turned out to be a little easier than I thought. The power of the human imagination is incredible. I will relate to these thoughts later once I am further in my book.
-Mathias