LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
In his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Habits,” Stephen Covey’s third habit is to “Put First Things First.” Covey’s habit is founded on the idea that in order to be efficient, we must successfully prioritize our duties and execute them systematically. In a previous article on creating balance in our personal and professional lives, we reviewed Covey’s Four Generations of Time Management. With that tool in mind, we will now set out to review two organizing models found in Covey’s book.
“7 Habits” suggests that a person should organize their time one two levels – long-term and weekly. Each organization model is designed to help you get things done and thus be more efficient at work (and home).
Long-Term Organizing
The idea of long-term organizing is three fold. First, prepare a mission statement. Next, define the roles and goals. It is important to realize that the long-term goals are tied into the weekly goals we will discuss in just a minute.
Weekly Organizing
The second organization model is weekly organizing. This model has more components than the first. It begins with defining roles, establishing goals and developing plans. With these three elements in hand, it is then possible to schedule and delegate activities that will promote efficiency and time management.
Covey recommends taking time each morning to review the daily plan to ensure it remains inline with the weekly organizing model previously established. He also stresses the importance of organizing for the entire week and not just the day. This idea ties into his second habit, “Begin With The End in Mind.” We are more efficient if we keep the whole picture in perspective. We are also more likely to achieve optimal results if we don’t lose site of our goals. Keeping them fresh in the mind is achieved when reviewing the daily, weekly and long-term mission, roles, goals, etc.
Reply With Quote
Featured on:
