Habit 5

Of the 7 habits presented by Stephen R. Covey, the one which had the most meaning to me was habit number five, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood". I think this is an area that I need to personally work on. I used to be a really good listener and was the one my friends often came to for advice and was more attentive to them. But, as I have grown older, I have become less patient and too preoccupied with other things that I am only half listening when others are speaking. I have definitely become one who is at the ready with a response without totally listening. I'm going to start to give others my full attention when they talk and try to understand what it is they are telling me. Then my response will be more genuine and likely to be more helpful, because I have listened and given the other one hundred percent of my attention.

I will be able to practice this habit when I conduct my entrepreneur interview this week. I am really looking forward to the insights and lessons learned from the one I interview. This is a great opportunity for me to learn from them what things have worked for them and what pitfalls to avoid, so that I can have the best chance at succeeding in whatever business I pursue.