Adam Chavez

Today I saw a small clip from Stephen R. Covey’s talk on “the 8th habit.” If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it. One of the things I’ve wondered about, and I’m sure you have too, is what to do with my life, for work mostly. I want to do work that I’m absolutely passionate about. Doing anything else doesn’t interest me. I want to be alive — really alive. I don’t want to settle and I want to have an impact on the world.

I think I’m coming closer to exactly what it is that drives me, and Covey’s thoughts really shocked me. They might surprise you also. Below are my thoughts and notes from his presentation:

5 Metastasizing cancers

Criticizing

Comparing

Complaining

Competing for a Sense of Your Worth

Contending

“Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs”

Definition of your “voice”: Similar to the hedgehog concept, which is where you align (a) what you can be the best in the world at, (b) what you are deeply passionate about, and (c) what drives your economic engine. Covey adds conscience as one of the essential pieces of the puzzle. Covey also describes it differently, saying that there are 4 kinds of intelligence.

4 Types of Intelligence

To Live (Physical Intelligence)
To Love (Emotional Intelligence)
To Learn (Intellectual Intelligence)
To Leave a Legacy (Spiritual Intelligence)

He who has a why can do any what or how.

Body - Assume you’ve had a heart attack. Live accordingly.
Heart - Assume others are present when you speak about them. Speak accordingly.
Mind - Assume the half-life of your profession is 2 years. Prepare accordingly.
Spirit - Assume you have a one-on-one communication with your Creator. Live accordingly.

I think anybody can benefit from reading Covey from time to time. He always seems to lift, by simply explaining powerful ideas.