Habits created through Wisdom

Proverbs 4: 4

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commands and live.

During the height of my teaching career with MBI I was always on the lookout for material that could substantiate on what I was trying to convey.  Popular at that time was a guru named Stephan 

Covey.  In his book the Seven Habits of Successful People, he broke his teachings into seven parts.

His first message was be proactive.  I, took it to mean. Nature gave men two ends - one to set on the other to think with. Man’s success is dependence on the one he uses the most.

His second message was, begin with the end in mind.  My grandson’s Peter and Jacob have grasped this at a very early stage in knowing what they want to be as adults. THAT IS COMMENDABLE.

His third message was first things first.  This came into focus for me in a project management class. Where the teacher had us identify all the steps it takes to build something and write it on a sticky note and post them at randomly on the whiteboard. Once we could not come up with any others steps we were to arrange the steps in the order of their occurrence on the whiteboard.

His fourth message Think Win – Win.   It is not very clear in my mind when exactly I realized that if I want people to work for me I have to more that boss them around, it had to be profitable for my people as well.  I not only have to listen to the radio station WIIIFM (what is in it for me) but also listen to their station WIIIFT (what is in it for them)

His fifth message Seek first to understand, then be understood.  I learned this one the hard way.  In 1959 I got a job with Oltman Construction in Monterey Park California I got assigned to very nice kind older fellow who had immigrated from Holland. His job was to keep the construction equipment maintained.  I, in my eagerness found fault on everything he did and told him to do it this or that way.  That lasted about 2 or 3 days when he blew his lit. He graped a 2 x4 and came after me and said look you snot-nosed kid this is my shop, here you do as you are told or get out. I stayed because I needed the job

His sixth message was Synergize. That is the ability to adapt to the job or company you chose to work for and wholeheartedly give it your best.

 His last and final message Sharpen the Saw. On this one I can speak on with authority. From the day I stepped of the boat as a young 18-year-old in New York in 1956, my every waking hour was taken up by learning. First it was the language. Later countless classes during my working years.  During the 1990ies I became friends with a fellow named Toni Parise.  Toni was a medical doctor and head of the Illinois School of Medicine in Peoria.  He taught me the best way to learn is by teaching.  Finally, that does not stop when you get old.  The knowledge I gained since my 80tied birthday is priceless.  

Different words, same message that GOD has given to mankind in Proverbs 4. Wisdom.  Read through it slowly and easy and let the holy spirit soak it into you.

With all my love November 2024

The Habit Poem

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am completely at your command.

Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me,

and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great men.

And, alas, of all failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great.

Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine.

Plus, the intelligence of a man.

You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet.

Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am a HABIT!