Personal Orientation Project
Source: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
*Before we get to the seven habits of highly effective people we have to deal with some
basic human challenges that we all face.
Habits we struggle with
Characterized by...
1) Fear and insecurity---------- avoidence and denial
2) I want it now---------------impatience and annoyance
3) Blame and victimism----------avoidence of consequences and personal responsibility or
wanting to look and avoid looking bad
4) Hopelessness--------------- resignation (why should I try I will simply fail again)
5) Lack of life balance--------- work versus play/relaxation
6) What's in it for me--------- expectation of a reward of some kind (recognition, a
gift, flattery)
7) The hunger to be understood-- an emotional need to have others understand our
position, opinion, point of view.
8) Conflict and differences------lack of familiarity and understanding (wanting to be right
and making others wrong--lack of real listening)
9) Personal stagnation---------- lack of evolution or growth personally, emotionally,
psychologically, professionally, or physically.
a) Body
-culture: maintain lifestyle, treat health problems with surgery and
medication
-principle: prevent disease and problems by aligning lifestyle to be in
harmony with established, universally accepted principles of health
b) Mind
-culture: watch television, "entertain me" (video games, blogging, IPods, movies, music videos)
-principle: read broadly and deeply, continuous education
c) Heart
-culture: use relationships with others to forward your personal,
selfish interests
-principle: deep, respectful listening and serving others brings
greatest fulfillment and joy
d) Spirit
-culture: succumb to growing secularism and cynicism
-principle: recognize that the source of our basic need for meaning
and of the positive things we seek in life is principles---which natural
laws I believe have their source in God
Note: we are reacting instead of acting on our lives.
Instructions Below
Homework
For numbers 1 to 8.
1) Provide one real, personal life experience for each of the habits we struggle with and explain how and why the
situation was difficult for you. You may also write an example based on what characterizes the habits we struggle
with. Write at least 4 to 5 sentences for each. You can write more if you wish.
2) For numbers 1 to 8 choose one of the eight habits that you struggle with the most and explain why. Write at least a
1/2 page for your explanation.
3) Number the 8 habits from easiest to hardest for you deal with. 1 represents the easiest while 8 represents the habit
that you are struggling with the most.
For number 9 Personal Stagnation answer the following questions:
1) The author describes society in terms of culture and principle based on the four categories of Body, Mind, Heart,
and Spirit. Is he accurate in describing how our culture generally works in those categories? Explain why you think
he is accurate or not.
Writing Requirement: 1/2 page single spaced
2) Would you agree or disagree that the principles the author is suggesting we follow or do be really effective in
transforming our lives and our society? Explain how it would be possible or describe why it would only fail.
Writing Requirement: 1/2 page single spaced
3) Provide one personal example from your life for each of the four categories of Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit where
you recognize and have to deal with the problems the author is describing in our culture. You can provide an example
of something that has happened to you or is currently happening to you or you can describe someone else in your life
that is going through these obstacles.
Writing Requirement: 1/2 page single spaced
4) Provide at least one personal example from the four categories of Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit where you recognize
you are living up to the principle the author is describing.
Writing Requirement:
1/2 page single spaced.