Activity: 7 Habits

Chapter 3
1. How do these habits fit with your core values as an individual?
In summary, they all fit me because two of my core values are to do the best that I can in
any given situation, and to continuously improve my competence and myself. Therefore, I think
that all seven habits apply to my core values, especially the habits of being proactive and
sharpening the saw.
2. Which habit(s) feel like they would be the most challenging to apply on a consistent
basis? Why?
The habit that I see myself struggling to stay consistent with is the habit to synergize;
while I will always argue that many perspectives need to feed the process of finding a solution I
tend to be independent in my decision-making. If there is a problem the solution is usually where
I will satisfy my desire to have a hint of control. Because of that, depending on the severity
and/or nature of the problem, I can see myself struggling to invite others in helping me find the
best possible solution.
3. How can these habits be applied to the work of interpreters? Provide an illustration of
how each habit could be applied.
-Be Proactive: Being proactive can be applied to interpreting in the sense that it
encourages the interpreter to take productive action in a situation rather than just fighting back
against a less desirable approach and/or outcome. For example, when an interpreter finds
himself/herself in an ethical dilemma it is important to pursue it rather than hoping it will work
itself out in a positive and beneficial manner.
-Begin with the End in Mind: An interpreter must have a long-term mission; if an
interpreter is not aware of their own self goals then their decisions could potentially be made
carelessly due to the lack of an end-goal.
-Put First Things First: If an interpreter does not balance out their life than they could get
burned out in one, or multiple, areas of their life. If an interpreter gives way above and beyond to
interpreting, to the extent that they are worn out, then they are risking the health of their personal
life along with potentially over-straining their abilities. That kind of exhaustion could result in a
lack of ability to complete an assignment the best they can.

-Think Win/Win: The quality of interpreting jobs is dependent on the perspective and
attitude of the interpreter; if the interpreter does not have the best interest of their client in mind
than, in my opinion, they are not fully competent for the job. It is important to not only look out
for their own well being, but also the well being of their clients.
-Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood: An interpreter must understand the
environment and context in which they are interpreting. If the interpreter does not understand the
meaning of what is being said than they will not be able to achieve a correct interpretation. If an
interpreter wants to be understood, and understood correctly, than they must understand what it
is they are interpreting.
-Synergizing: The process of interpreting involves a lot of trust; the client must trust the
interpreter to give them the information they desire, and that they will be ethical in their
approach to interpreting. It is also important that all the people involved have mutual trust
including: clients, co-workers, authority figures, etc. Interpreters will come across dilemmas, and
it would be beneficial for them to be comfortable to invite other opinions and perspectives to
their decision-making.
-Sharpen the Saw: American Sign Language and the Deaf community, like other
languages and communities, are always developing. Therefore it is only appropriate that
interpreters do all they can to continuously improve themselves through experiences within the
Deaf community and knowledge of the languages they interpret.