HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE: Proactive
kids are responsible for their own actions. They recognize they are
making their own choices and are empowered by that understanding.
How can you be proactive?
Take responsibility for your actions. - if you make a bad choice, admit to it
Don't let other people influence you in a bad way. - if a friend is making a bad choice, don't follow their example
Use positive language. - try avoiding phrases like "I can't" or "I won't"
Make your own fun. - don't wait for other students to approach you on the playground, create a new game or join a new group
HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND: By
visualizing what the goal (the end) is for individuals (families, teams
and organizations) children take control of their future. They have a
vision of where they are headed and how they are planning on getting
there.
How can you begin with the end in mind?
Make to do lists.- If you want to accomplish things in your day, start with a list so you know what you need to do
Set goals- knowing where you want to be will help you figure out how to get there.
Budget
your money- think about how you spend your money. Should you save it
for something special later, or get something not as important now?
HABIT 3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST: Children
are able to organize themselves and prioritize their responsibilities
so that they keep aligned with their principles and what they value the
most.
How can you put first things first?
- Make
a to-do list and prioritize important things. - Clean your room before
you play outside. Help your mom with the dishes before you leave the
kitchen after dinner.
- Do your
classwork before you have free time. - Check your classwork folder to
make sure you've turned in all require assignments before you play on
the computer or read a book.
- Study
even if you don't have a test the next day.- If you study a little each
day, it's better than studying for 2 hours the night before a test.
HABIT 4: THINK WIN-WIN: Children
who think win-win have a frame of mind and heart that seeks mutual
benefit and mutual respect with all they are involved. It is about "we"
not "me" that drives them to an empathetic relationship with others.
How can you think win-win?
- Be cooperative. - Have an open minded attitude instead of a "my way or the highway" outlook.
- Be considerate. - Think about what other people want, not just what you want.
- Be a good problem solver. - Find ways to make both sides happy without having to compromise.
HABIT 5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD:
When we listen so that we can understand others, not so much so that we
then can reply, we begin to experience what true communication is like.
It doesn't take away from our opportunities to speak, it enriches us
when we do.
How can you seek first to understand, then to be understood?
- Listen
with your eyes, ears, and heart. -Try to make eye contact when someone
is talking to show them that you're paying attention. Use your ears to
hear what they have to say and how they feel. Lastly, use your heart
to empathize with them and care about what they are sharing with you.
- Repeat back what you hear. -To make sure you really understand, repeat what the other person said.
- Help
friends when you see them having a misunderstanding. -Help them take
turns explaining their sides of the story. Remind the other person that
it is not their turn to talk yet. After they listen to the other
person, they'll get their chance to share their feelings. When that
time comes, make sure the one who already shared listens to other as
well.
HABIT 6: SYNERGIZE: This
habit is all about team work and cooperation. Not just my way or your
way but our way. It encompasses respect, valuing others as well as
celebrating differences.
How can you synergize?
- Use
cooperative learning strategies at school. - When you're working on a
group project, share everyone's ideas. Work together to brainstorm ways
to use those ideas to create a project.
- Help
other people. - If you and your brother both need to clean your rooms
before you can play, why not team up. You can both clean his room, then
you can both clean yours. Both rooms will get cleaned better and
faster, and then you can play.
- Share
victories. - If you play on a sports team, don't let one player do all
the action. Use each player's individual strengths to make the best
team possible.
HABIT 7: SHARPEN THE SAW: To
be an effective person, we have to continually renew our
emotional/social, physical, mental and spiritual self. This is the key
to being able to live out the 7 habits effectively.
How can you sharpen the saw?
Think
of all the different activities you do to have fun. Do you like to play
soccer, read, or cook? Find something that makes you happy and schedule
it into your busy life.