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I want to point out the similarities in this chapter to the 7 Army Values.

We start in this chapter with the "Public Victory" portion of the book, and Covey uses the running metaphor of an Emotional Bank Account. You have to build up a reserve of trust with people. There are six major deposits. One is understanding the individual. I equate this with the Army Value of respect because Covey explains it by saying, "Treat them all the same by treating them differently." As MSG Wood loves to say, "treat people as they should be treated," is the Army definition of respect. Second, we can parallel Covey's showing personal integrity and keeping committments with the Army value of integrity. Keeping promises and true to your word is important. Third, we can see a similarity between Covey's apologizing sincerely when you make a withdrawal to the Army value of personal courage. Covey says it takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly...a great deal of courage. Fourth, I'm going to combine the Army values of duty and selfless service with Covey's attending to the little things. Putting a coat over his cold child shows both a duty as a father and selfless service. Fifth, I want to equate Covey's clarifying expectations with the Army value of leadership. Covey says "That's why it's so important whenever you come into a new situation to get all the expectations out on the table." I hope we all can see the similarity between this quote and being a new 2LT. And finally, the Army value of honor is upholding all the other values. And, Covey says that all six deposits are important.

On 146-182

"The key is not to priortize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."

To implement this, you have to figure out and define your priorites...which is where Habits 1 and 2 come in. Maybe you think you want to do better in math, but you always seem to be going to the mall with some new friends in lieu of working on math homework. So, you set a goal to do more math homework. But it doesn't happen. You wonder why you fail at your goal. Then you analyze yourself, and realize that fostering new relationships with people is more congruent with your values than doing well in a math class. It's important to decide what's important to you. Life's too short to feel guilty about what you should be doing. (I give this example very hypocritically.)

"It is the fourth human endowment--independent will--that really makes effective self-management possible."

It's good advice to work in Quadrant II. But you've got to want to do it. School is really important to me. Because of how important it is to me, I think I manage school work quite well. If I have an assignment due Wednesday, it is extremely rare that I'll still be working on it on Tuesday. It's more likely to be done by Sunday. This does two things: if Quadrant I stuff comes up, I have a cushion to still get the assignment done. And, if someone says on Tuesday night, "Want to go to _______?" I can say yes, because my work is done. It opens opportunities and decreases stress.

My word of advice to college students: move all your deadlines ahead.

On 95-144

Covey talks a lot about our own "scripts." He suggests that we examine ourselves and see if our script matches our true values and principles. If not, we need to do some "rescripting." Our actions and habits needs to be congruent with our values.

Focus on guidance, power, wisdom, and security. Where is the source for these things in you? What are you centered on? I think I am centered on family, work (aka school), possession (reputation), and self. Not good--I need to be centered on principles. Do you have rough ideas for your personal mission statement? This will help identify your center, and aid you in becoming more congruent.

As a psych major and an athlete, I was especially interested in Covey's discussion on visualization. You can prepare for so many things--sports performances, interviews, spider encounters, delivering OPORDS, etc.--just by visualizing. Example: Before figure skating tests (both moves and freestyle), my coach would make me sit in the locker room with my head down and eyes closed. I would have to visualize every component of the routine I was about to do: the order, the placement on the ice, where I would be in the music, everything. This helps. I got to practice before ever stepping onto the ice.

p.s. I find it extremely creepy to visualize your own funeral.

On 66-94

Instead of a long, wordy paragraph, I want to bring up 10 points and comments I had on this chapter.

1) It is important to understand that other people think differently. I know, it sounds cliche, but if we project our paradigms onto other people's actions, we're asking for misunderstandings. This kind of relates to empathy. (pg. 67)

2) There is a difference between freedom and liberty. How many luxuries do you turn into necessities? Do those "necessities" enslave you? How about your cell phone? Wouldn't it be kind of freeing if you didn't have to constantly check it and worry about people getting a hold of you? (pg. 69)

3) Proactivity=function of our decisions, not our conditions. It's choices, not feelings. You don't fall in love with someone, you choose to love him or her. (pg. 71&80)

4) "Use your R & I!" Oh my gosh, this made me cringe, and it made me greatly appreciate my parents. (pg. 75).

5) A lot of this chapter seemed annoyingly obvious. Covey acts like being proactive is such a novel concept; well, yeah, you're more likely to get what you want if you go for it. My nine-year-old brother could have told the MS1 and MS2 classes that. (pg. 76).

6) See the business scenario on page 77. By reading this, I learned that I have a reactive mindset. After Covey explains the situation, he says, "Now what would a reactive mind say to that? Oh come on. Face facts. You can only carry this positive thinking and self-psych approach so far. Sooner or later you have to face reality." This is exactly what I was thinking. That is bad.

7) On the circles of concern and influence--In my CSEM this semester, we read the Enchiridion by Epictetus. Epictetus says that true happiness comes from acting on those things you can control, and accepting peacefully those things you cannot. We even read the serenity prayer in class (pg. 86). I tend to worry about thing I cannot control, or things that are already in the past. That is bad.

8) See the comments on the story of Joseph in the Bible on page 89. 2LT Janke, who we all know (or at least have heard about) and love has a Arabic tattoo of this story. :)

9) There is a lot of similarity in this chapter to the Be. Know. Do. philosophy.

10) Keep your committments. I read the 4 Agreements over break, and one of the "agreements" Ruiz talks about is being impeccable with you word--meaning if you say something, mean it. Life is better for you and those you interact with. (pg. 92).