In his collection of inspiring stories in Living the 7 Habits: Stories of Courage and Inspiration, Stephen R. Covey (1999) demonstrated how individuals who have applied the principles of the seven habits have succeeded in transforming their lives for the better. After some reflection on the stories, I believe that some of the points raised in Covey's discussion of these stories--especially those related to the seven habits and their application--can be helpful in improving the way I live my life. In the remainder of the paper, I will address how I can apply the lessons learned from this book to enhance the quality of my personal and professional life.
Throughout my life, I have often prided myself on my proactive approach towards life. In order to achieve my dreams of having a better future, I moved to the U.S. from Aruba in 1970. To further my interest in the nursing profession, I took courses at the local college and pass the state exam to become a certified nurse assistant (CNA). While I was studying, I also had to work at different jobs in order to support myself. However, since I became a CNA, I have lost my drive to push onto my dream of becoming a nurse practitioner in a large hospital or even running my own office with my own clients. Because of my hectic work schedules and my focus in improving my financial situation, I have not made any effort to enroll in courses to earn a degree that will enable me to become a nurse practitioner.
Reading Covey's (1999) comments at the end of the story, "How Could I Waste My life" (p. 6), I realize that I have digressed from my goal in life--to heal sick people. Essentially, I need to practice the second habit, "Begin with the End in Mind" to identify the purposes and values that are most important to me in life. In addition, I also have to balance the physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions of life. Because of my relentless pursuit of materialistic well-being...