I got to reading the first section of the seven habits book this morning, and while I’m not into the meat of it yet, the overview has kept my interest and the basic underlying theme is layed out plainly enough for me to get a feel for the direction I’m been taken in which keeps with my initial assesment. The book is about changing yourself and thinking about why you do things rather then how you do things (As a system like “Getting Things Done” is).
It’s a subtle but important shift in the focus of the material I have been reading lately, and yet better reflects my world view as a whole. After all, organization can only take you so far, and I guess recently I’ve started to put a lot of energy into reshaping my life even before I started reading the book.
Not that I’ve been waiting for something like this book to come along or anything, I can see how some people could pick it up and see it as a huge eye opener, if you haven’t put much thought into how you as a person fit into your enviroment as a whole, then it might offer a new way of thinking. For me it sits nicely with a path I was already on, and so gives me insight into someone elses thoughts on a similar path that I can draw on as I wish.
Ninawills | 20-Jun-06 at 4:29 pm | Permalink
Cool insights. Agreed.. it’s not exactly rocket science but learning and understanding others’ perspective helps us compare how we could practise some of these habits ourselves. Am glad you’re finding the material useful and that it jives well with your current path. If nothing else, such material helps us improve our self-talk.. instead of lamenting on the thing I have on my plate, it helps me become more proactive, and not just whine at how busy my life is. Btw, I try not use the “B” word these days. I find it has become an excuse to justify some of the things I’ve been putting off. Oh well..
Paul Freeman | 20-Jun-06 at 4:41 pm | Permalink
I’m pretty sure that the first of the “Seven Habits” is much along those lines, when it comes down to it, in the past I’ve spent so much time worrying about everything I need to do, I haven’t done anything at all. And that’s a really difficult pattern to break out of, but it comes a point you need to just make the break and get on with things.