This month, the Pearls of Wisdom will focus on the work of Stephen Covey and his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This week, we will focus on the first two habits: Be Proactive and Begin with the End In Mind. 

Habit 1: Be Proactive. *

"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions."

- Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Habit 1 involves taking personal responsibility and accountability. Highly effective people focus their time and energy on their Circle of Influence. To learn more about Habit 1 and the Circle of Influence, check out Jim Newcomb's article, Be Proactive: Habit 1 of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

* Covey, Stephen R. “Habit One - Be Proactive.” The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; Snapshot Edition, Mango Media. 

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind.** The second habit is using your imagination to visualize your ideal result or goal. By clearly envisioning your goal, you can shift your focus to taking action to manifest your goal physically. The first step is to write a mission statement for your goal. Franklin Covey provides more information on Habit 2 on their site.

** Covey, Stephen R. “Habit Two - Begin With the End in Mind.” The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; Snapshot Edition, Mango Media.

Practicing these habits daily will help you to cultivate a proactive mindset and work towards achieving your long-term goals. Covey's insights provide a timeless framework for personal and professional effectiveness, offering valuable guidance for those seeking to enhance their lives and positively impact the world.

Also, make sure to take advantage of the reflective activities for Habits 1 & 2 in The 7 Habits on the Go: Timeless Wisdom for a Rapidly Changing World book available in SumTotal.