10

Life Principles

Stephen Covey
Stephen R. Covey is the
author of the best-selling
book, The Seven Habits of
Highly Effective People. Other
books he has written
include First Things First,
Principle-Centered
Leadership, and
The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective Families. In 2004,
Covey released The 8th Habit.
In 2008, Covey released The
Leader In Me—How Schools
and Parents Around the
World Are Inspiring Greatness,
One Child at a Time. Here
are 10 Life Principles
collected and learned From
Stephen R. Covey.
Lesson 1 : The Light House Principle
There are lighthouse principles. You don’t break them. You
only break yourself against them. Don’t break yourself
against lighthouse principles.
As the story goes, one night at sea, Horatio awakens to find that a ship is in his
sea-lane about 20 miles away and refuses to move. Horatio commands the other
ship to move starboard, 20 degrees at once. Horatio tries to pull rank and size on
the other ship, stating that he’s a captain and that he’s on a large battle ship. The
other ship replies, and it turns out it’s not actually a ship, but a lighthouse.
Principle # 2 : The 90/10 Principles
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. Don't let
people fool you; YOU can control how you react. If someone says something negative about
you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the
negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day.
You harshly scold your daughter
for knocking the cup over. You
find your daughter has been too
busy crying to finish breakfast
and get ready for school. She
misses the bus. You rush to the
car and drive your daughter to
school. Your daughter runs into
the building without saying
goodbye. After arriving at the
office 20 minutes late, you find
you forgot your briefcase. Your
day has started terribly.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is
about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey,
you just need to be more careful next time.”
Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After
grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you
come back down in time to look through the
window and see your child getting on the
bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5
minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff.
Your boss comments on how good the day
you are having. Notice the difference?
Principle # 3 : Law Of The Harvest
Law of the Harvest is an enlightening look at the true
meaning of ‘reaping what you sow,’ and the importance of
a strong work ethic. Persistence, patience and
perseverance, as well as attention to detail, are imperative:
with potato farming, it takes three to four years from soil prep
to harvest; short-cuts simply don’t cut it.
The unpredictable nature of farming
provides an excellent backdrop,
bringing to light that each task has
great impact on the outcome. It’s
an opportunity to examine process,
quality, competence, timeliness,
sacrifice and preparation.
Examine the benefits and
drawbacks
of taking shortcuts, tackle
projects with thorough
preparation and planning,
develop new behavior patterns
for ‘doing things the right way’,
draw upon priorities and core
values when meeting the
challenge of change and more.
Principle # 4 : True North Principle
Principles are like a compass. A compass has
a true north that is objective and external, that reflects
natural laws or principles, as opposed to values which are
subjective and internal. Because the compass represents
the eternal verities of life, we must develop our value system
with deep respect for "true north" principles.
The key to long-term success is
learning to align with “true north”
principles, working at leadership
from the inside out, and being
proactive to become an island
of excellence-and to leaven the
team.
Come up with a vision. What do
you want to do? At the end of your
life, how do you want to be
remembered? By beginning with
the end result that you want to
achieve, you can multiply your
impact and your legacy.
Principle # 5 : Put First Thing First
Covey asked us how many struggle with work/life balance. Many hands
went up. He said people often report they feel they spend 50% of their
time on urgent, but not important tasks. Why is that? Covey stated it’s
because everybody defines purpose differently.
When you understand your vision, you
will know which pursuits are important
to you and which ones are not. In this
way, you will be able to let go of the
less important things and let others do
them in your stead.
Principle # 6 : Empathic Listening
What you saw was influenced by
your experience and that rather
that impose your view, first
understand the other person’s
perspective – there’s a good
chance, you’re both right!
If you want to be understood, you
have to understand the other
person first. Put yourself in that other
person's shoes. That way, you can
change your perspective and you
can reframe it in such a way that it
will make sense to your partner.
Principle # 7 : Sharpen The Saw
Covey asked us whether we can use our full talent and capacity in our
organization. He then asked us whether we feel the pressure to produce more
for less. The point here was to emphasize how there’s a demand for greater
results, but that we’re not necessarily utilized to our full potential.
One of the central messages of Covey is to
ensure balance between production and
production capability. In other words, you
have to think long term. By sharpening the
saw and ensuring your well-being, you can
pursue your targets in the long run.
Principle # 8 : Inspiration Over Jackass Theory
The Jackass Theory refers to the carrot and the stick. Covey asked us what kind
of supervisor do you need when you have a job that you are passionate about
and is using your talents and you feel you are appreciated. People are
volunteers. You want them to contribute their greatest, unique contribution.
People are not on the same page.
There is so much bureaucracy, and
rules and regulations that lay people
down and disempower them. And we
go back into what I call the
'Great jackass theory of human
motivation'. Carrot-sticking them.
-if you produce, you get the carrot, if
you don't, you get the stick.' The
people who are unprincipled or step
on other people can not survive. -
Stephen R. Covey
Principle # 9 : Finding Your Voice
Covey asked how do you help people find their voice? You ask them
what are they good at? What do they love doing? What is your greatest
unique contribution? The key is finding a voice that meets a human
need.
“Have you accomplished something or
got to where you are because
someone believed in you more than
you believed in yourself?” If the
answer is yes, then what if you believed
in someone today more than they
believe in themselves? If we all do this
for one person, we will affect the entire
human population!
Lesson 10 : Theory Of Circle Of Influence
If you focus your energy outside your circle of influence,
your capacity for influence will diminish, because you are
wasting your time and energy on a concern over which you
have no influence.
Covey challenged us to
be
a creative force: Get
out of victimism . You’re
not a victim of your
circumstances. You are
the creative force of
your life. Empathize
first. Grow your circle of
influence. Make
tremendous impact.
"There are three constants in
life... change, choice and
principles.“

Thanks
"There are three constants in life...
change, choice and principles."

Thank You Very Much

Sompong Yusoontorn