I meant to start this “series” of blog posts last week, but things have been a bit crazy with the covid-19 scare – I know, I know, the irony isn’t lost on me. It is, however, a perfect example of why it’s important to stay committed to personal development in general, and this one of the 7 Habits in particular.
Focusing on things we can’t change is human nature. More to the point, it has been pushed farther and farther into our minds from our birth by the media, social media and other predominant leaders in our society. To put it bluntly, it sells. Being in sales (Real Estate), I am also a pretty prime target for other salespeople. Since many of them tend to prey upon agents, I’ve become even more aware than I was as an American consumer: is this product or service worth my investment? The currency of media/social media is not necessarily dollars and cents at our level – it’s in time and focus.
The more time and focus you put into the things that others would have you focus on, the less time and focus/energy/ability you have to spend on the things that are actually important to you, the things that align with your goals, ambitions, dreams. Not only is it really good thing for me to be reminded of, it’s also something I wanted to share with those unfamiliar with the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
For the next few weeks, I will be posting about these habits, and how we can make use of them in life and in Real Estate. Real Estate is my profession, my passion – but it isn’t everything. My deeper passion is the people I’m able to help along the way. I’m by no means a “life coach” or a “guru” or anything so exciting as all that, but I do fervently believe that we can learn a lot from each other. I am always learning things from my wife, kids, friends, clients, coworkers, even often times my dogs… Everywhere you look is an opportunity to learn something. Because of the platform I’ve been blessed with as a Realtor, my “classroom” is here for those willing or bored enough to attend.
Back to Habit 1. This is an excerpt from the website:
“HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE®
Responsible for behavior, results and growth.
Habit 1: Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life. You can’t keep blaming everything on your parents or grandparents. Proactive people recognize that they are “response-able.” They don’t blame genetics, circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. They know they choose their behavior. Reactive people, on the other hand, are often affected by their physical environment. They find external sources to blame for their behavior. If the weather is good, they feel good. If it isn’t, it affects their attitude and performance, and they blame the weather. ” https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/habit-1.html
To put it in the perspective of my struggle with my personal distractions, the more time I spend focusing on the news and the social media wall, the less I get done for myself, my family and my clients. This, inevitably, leads to fewer clients and a far less satisfying life for myself and my family. The more I focus on the things INSIDE my sphere of influence, the more those things blossom and grow. The more I focus my thoughts on the things I CAN change, the better I do at those things. Ultimately, my faith in Jesus Christ leads me to put such matters in His hands, but I’m also expected to be a good steward of all things. My time. My money. My relationships. My job(s). I used to struggle with the idea of being a servant, a steward. The older I get, the more I realize that my life really isn’t about me. It’s about how I’m using the gifts and abilities I’ve been given. How I’m helping others. How I’m leading my family. How I’m loving those around me. As with many things in life, the truth we see in front of us often is found in the bible. Much of personal development is strongly rooted in the scripture, regardless of how much it’s been whitewashed. The parable of the 5 talents is a pretty good illustration of Habit 1:
Matthew 25:14-30 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Ok, Ok, enough preaching, enough teaching… as always, if you have any questions or comments about these thoughts, leave them below or shoot me a text, email or even an old fashioned phone call!