Seven Habits
Posted On: 04-16-2023
Stephen Covey is a well-written author and founder of the Seven Habits of Effective People. These ideals have been taught over and over and really do provide some good points for success. Here they are in order:
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand and then be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
Whether all of these relate to you as an effective person or leader, some might influence you as a youth shooter. Be proactive – this means one needs to take control of their own destiny and be actively engaged in their and others success. In a nutshell take charge of what you control and influence and don’t worry about the rest. Be accountable and don’t blame others for your mistakes. Things that are external to you become secondary.
I have said this over and over and that is you have set goals. If that goal is your name being called for being the high overall shooter then start right now imagining that scene. I did this when I worked on my Ph.D. I envisioned the end point as my advisor walking up to me and saying, “Congratulations Dr. Vaught!” Get a vision, set a goal and make sure those goals are measurable and obtainable.
Put first things first. Decide what is most important to you. Is making sure your cell phone is on so you can receive the next text or is concentrating on your shooting during an event most important. What is really important to you? Don’t get me wrong, for some of you, your priorities will be completely different than others. Some of you may just want to go to the next shoot to have fun and hang with your friends, but others may be there with the sole purpose of winning. While doing your best may be important the question you have to ask is, “did you do your best?”
Think win-win. I don’t mean by this you want to win, what I mean is you want everyone to win. Your winning means your team is winning and all enjoy success. Your relationships build with winning and you become a leader. Think in the simplest terms, “How can we both win?” If you are a great shooter and see others like you as a threat, perhaps try to see others as an opportunity to grow and become better.
The idea of understanding versus being understood has one simple component – your ears. When being coached do you understand because you listened and you replicated what was being taught. Then can you explain exactly what was just taught to others? Can you be a leader in sharing what you know? Leaders provide what people understand and thus go forth and share how well they understood the directive.
Synergize, now that is a great word. Can you as a leader create an atmosphere with your team that grows because of teamwork? Being an individual has its place, but being a synergized team is something to watch. I have watched five youth shooters on the line get a good run going. After the first station they are 5/5 and AS A TEAM they are 25/25. The momentum builds as this continues to station two and three and then four and all of a sudden something great is happening. Parents and observers are watching and they know, the scorekeeper knows and yes you AS A TEAM know what is happening. Station five – 25 shots to go and you have 5 shooters with 25 straights. I am telling you this is something to behold. Think again about Habit number 2.
Sharpen the saw is all about you. Take some time for yourself to reflect on what you want to accomplish, how to accomplish the task and what are your goals. Reflect on your physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual self. Get yourself aligned so you can take stock in the first six habits and be better as a person, leader and maybe someday a coach.
I hope you consider these habits. Take some time to read a little more here.
David R. Vaught, Ph.D.
Executive Director MYSSA