Sunday, May 28, 2006

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Families and family members are responsible for their own choices and have the freedom to choose based on principles and values rather than on moods or conditions. They develop and use their four unique human gifts - self awareness, conscience, imagination, and independent will - and take an inside-out approach tocreating change. they choose not to be victims, to be reactive, or to blame others.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Families and family members shape their own future by creating a mental vision and purpose for anyproject, large or small. they don't just live day to day with no clear purpose in mind. The highest form of mental creation is adding to the Families mission statement.

Habit 3: Put First Things First
Families and family members organise and execute around their most important priorities as expressed intheir personal and the Families Mission Statement. The first priority is to be at work on-time, with a presentand professional attitude. They are driven by purpose, not by the agendas and forces surrounding them.

Habit 4: Think "Win-Win"
Families and family members think in terms of mutual benefit. They foster support and mutual respect. theythink interdependently - "we," not "me" - and develop win-win agreements. They don't think selfishly (win-lose ) or like a martyr ( lose-win ).

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand ... Then to Be Understood.
Families and family members seek first to listen with the intent to understand the thoughts and feelings ofothers, then seek to effectively communicate their own thoughts and feelings. Through understanding, theybuild deep relationships of trust and love. They give helpful feedback. they don't withhold feedback, nor dothey seek first to be understood.

Habit 6: Synergize.
Families thrives on individual strengths and the strengths of Families so that, by respecting and valuingdifferences, the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts. They build a mutual problem-solving andopportunity-seizing culture. They foster a nurturing working spirit of loving, learning, and contributing.They don't go for compromise ( 1 + 1 = 1 1/2 ) or merely co-operation ( 1 + 1 = 2 ) but creativeco-operation ( 1 + 1 = 3 .... or more ).

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Families increases its effectiveness through regular personal and Families renewal in four basic areas of life:physical, social/emotional, spiritual, and mental. They establish traditions that nurture the spirit of Familiesrenewal.