From Umar Aliyu Abubakar (Mallam Bahaushe)
1. BE PROACTIVE
Life has a way of shaping us, but it doesn’t have to control us, while we can’t control the action of others, we can take responsibility for our own reactions, behaviors and decisions. By being proactive and taking initiative, we can shift our patterns and see the world in a new way.
2. BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
To be effective in work, play or relationships, we need clear goals. By reverse-engineering, the desired outcome, individuals or organizations can work proactively toward a mission. And by remembering that life is finite, we can focus on what really matters: our relationships and legacy.
3. PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
Distractions are everywhere, from notifications to emails. To form new habits, we need to learn to prioritize and say no to trivial distractions and even worthwhile activities that divert attention from our goals. If you want to write a book for instance, it might mean giving up other pursuits in the short term.
4. THINK WIN-WIN
Life is often thought of as a zero sum game, where one person must lose for another to win, but what if we told you that working together for everyone’s benefit is more profitable in the long run?
Research shows that cooperation instead of competition, focusing on a ‘win/win’ scenario instead of ‘win/lose’, will increase productivity at the work and improve personal relationships, it’s all about finding a way for everyone to win.
5. SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOS
Communication is the most important skill in life, we spend most of our waking hours communicating, we spend years learning how to read and write, but few people have had any training in listening at all.
If you want to interact effectively with me, you need to understand me, if you want to influence your spouse, your child, your neighbor, your boss, your coworker, your friend, you first need to understand them.
Unless you’re influenced by my uniqueness, I’m not going to be influenced by your advice, so if you want to be really effective in the habit of interpersonal communication, you cannot do it with technique alone, you have to build the skill of emphatic listening on a base of character that inspires openness and trust. And you have to build the Emotional Bank accounts that create a commerce between hearts.
6. SYNERGIZE (INTERDEPENDENCE)
Synergy means the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, it means that the relationship which the parts have to each other is a part in and of itself, it is not only a part but the most catalytic, the most empowering, the mst unifying, and the most exciting part, by developing a habit of synergy, we can incorporate multiple good habits into our lives simultaneously, this leads to positive and collaborative interactions, and healthy interdependent relationships.
7. SHARPEN THE SAW (RENEWAL)
No good habit will stick if you’re not taking care of yourself, sharpen the saw if you want to keep sewing, this is the glue that holds all other habits together, it’s the ultimate self-care habit that’s critical for your well-being, think of it as maintaining your car so that it runs smoothly on the road, similarly, you need to take care of yourself to be effecient and effective in all areas of life.
Whether you’re working toward a massive goal or just trying to survive a hectic week, constantly pushing yourself without taking break can lead to burnout, to stay in balance, you need to replenish four essential tanks: emotional, mutual, spiritual, and physical. Make time for exercise, nourishing food, and adequate rest, and don’t underestimate the importance of taking time alone to reflect and recharge.
Incorporating “Sharpen The Saw” habit into your life is the most crucial thing you can do to improve your overall well-being, remember you are your most significant asset, so take care of yourself, and you’ll be ready to take on the world.
17/07/2024