UA&P I AM S.T.R.O.N.G: Get In The Habit!

Krystle slaps your face with...

It was around 2 days ago (i think) when i introduced the 7 habits of highly defective teens. As promised, I give you now the 7 habits of highly effective teens. Why just now? Because according to Sean Covey, the man behind all these values-- to understand the 7 effective teen values is first to understand what they are not.

By now, you're probably wondering what these habits are so I might as well end the suspense. Here they are, followed by a brief explanation--see what habits you already possess:

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Take responsibility for your life.

Habit 2: Begin with theEnd in Mind
Define your mission and goals in life.

Habit 3: Put First Things First
Prioritize, and do the most important things first.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Have an everyone-can-win attitude.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Listen to people sincerely.

Habit 6: Synergize
Work together to achieve more.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Renew yourself regularly.

As the above diagram shows, the habits build upon each other. Habits 1, 2, and 3 deal with self-mastery. We call it the "private victory." Habits 4, 5, and 6 deal with relationships and teamwork. We call it the "public victory." You've got to get your personal act together before you can be a good team player. That's why the private victory comes before the public victory. The last habit, Habit 7, is the habit of renewal. It feeds all of the other six habits. The habits seem rather simple, don't they? But just wait till you see how powerful they can be!


What of each effective teen value do you already have? Share them with us!

*Brought to you by UA&P I am S.T.R.O.N.G.

UA&P I AM S.T.R.O.N.G: IF

Ruther writes..

“If you could go back and just change one thing in your life, would you? And if you did, would that change make your life better? Or would that change ultimately break your heart? Or break the heart of another? Would you choose an entirely different path? Or would you just change just one thing, just one moment? One moment you want always back?”

- One Tree Hill; Season 4, Ep. 14

Every time we encounter problems, most of the time, we wish we could turn back time to change certain situations in the past. We are left with the “If’s” and the “should have’s…” We think of statements like “If was only given a chance…”, “if it was not because of him”, so on and so forth. Then we look back and regret the things that we have done. Such situations can help us to move forward with our lives or can hinder us from enjoying our current state. Either we accept reality or become blinded with the good things that are ahead of us.

I remember when I was in my 1^st year high school. I have a friend whom I was always with every break time. We share stories, we give advices about what to do with our crushes, and we help each other in almost all aspects of our teenage years. We were happy then. But because one mistake I did, our friendship seemed to fall apart. At first, I thought the situation was just okay.

Fast forward to my 2^nd year, I realized each day we were becoming more and more distant to each other. I tried to make up for what I did until I was in 3^rd year and 4^th year high school. But in the end, I realized that it was already too late for me to rebuild our great friendship again.

There were days when I can’t help but regret that moment. All I wanted was to turn back the time and change the wrong things that I have done. But life is not meant for us to go back in the past. We cannot live a life of regret. Instead all we can do is move forward, recover and learn from the mistakes we have caused other people.

How about you? What will be your answer in the quote? Share your story with us.

Brought to you by UA&P I am S.T.R.O.N.G.