I read Stephen Covey’s book, “The 8th Habit”, back in 2004, and I liked his message: From Effectiveness To Greatness. His previous book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” was a best seller and I had been introduced to it in the corporate world. Recently, I took another look at the 8th Habit and instead of focusing on the message “from effectiveness to greatness”, another message resonated with me, “Find Your Voice And Inspire Others To Find Theirs”. This is exactly what is happening today with the internet and social media! 😀I got excited because I realized Stephen Covey has been saying this all along, I just never heard it!! 🙄 He says, we have been through 4 economic eras:
1) Hunters & Gathers Age – technology was the bow & arrow; 1 unit of effort = 1 unit of production.
2) Agricultural Age – technology was the farmer; 1 unit of effort = 50 units of productivity.
3) Industrial age – technology was specialization, mass production; 1 unit of effort = 2,500 units of productivity.
4) Information age – technology is the knowledge worker; 1 unit of effort – a world of units of productivity.
As we have expanded from one era to the next, man has had to grow and adjust to the change in technology and productivity. Today, we are in a time where the old rules of the Industrial age are ending and we are experiencing the maturity of the Information age. In the Industrial age (20th century), we dis-empowered people which caused them to feel alienated and not part of a bigger purpose. We used incentives to “carrot & stick” people, instead of making them feel valued.
In the Information age (the 21st century), people are “finding their voice” and are expressing themselves all over the internet. All of this is being done without traditional “carrot & stick” incentives. So why are they all sharing their blogs and valuable information? Because they are finally being heard! 😛 People want their lives to have meaning and they want to know that they are “making a difference”.
Stephen Covey says there are 4 parts to our nature:
1) Body
2) Heart
3) Mind
4) Spirit
He says “there are 4 dimensions which need to be honored and put into a synergistic whole. It can help you find your voice and inspire others to find their voice. Voice is when your talent and your passion overlaps what the world needs.”
Stephen says there are 4 basic needs of people:
1) To Live (body) – pay me fairly – discipline
2) To Love (heart) – treat me kindly – passion
3) To Learn (mind) – use me creatively – vision
4) To Leave a Legacy (spirit) – serving human needs in principled ways – conscience
When I was young and working in the corporate world, I was tapping into the first basic need, to live and to pay me fairly. It took a ton of discipline because I studied hard to get good grades, even though I wasn’t interested in the subject. Then I worked really hard to get promoted and did “whatever it took” to “climb the corporate ladder”, even when I really wanted to be home with my son! I realize today that I did not listen to my heart, my mind, or my spirit because I didn’t know I was suppose to! 😯 Thank goodness my heart “woke up” in 1995 and started our home business, which enabled me to Live, Love, Learn & Leave a Legacy.
With the technology of today, the internet and social media has allowed anyone to Find Their Voice and then Inspire Others To Find Theirs. When people see ordinary people achieving their dream lifestyles, they feel they can do it too. Anyone can learn and find their passion which will make discipline fun and meaningful, because your life is now serving the world in very principled ways. Everyone can find meaning and start to contribute to others. It’s what makes living worthwhile!
Stephen Covey says to live your life with 4 Assumptions:
1) Body – assume you’ve had a heart attack, now live accordingly;
2) Heart – assume everything you say about another, they can overhear, now speak accordingly;
3) Mind – assume the half-life of your profession is 2 years, now prepare accordingly;
4) Spirit – assume you had a one-on-one communication with your Creator, now live accordingly.
The last question is “Have you accomplished something or got to where you are because someone believed in you more than you believed in yourself?” If the answer is yes, and it is “YES” for me, then what if you believed in someone today more than they believe in themselves? If we all do this for one person, we will affect the entire human population!
Here’s a video from Stephen Covey’s 8th Habit, Life is short, So…Live, Love, Learn, & Leave a Legacy:
We hope you gained some insight from our article today. If so, may we ask you to share by clicking the “f share” button at the top of the article, or “retweet” this post on Twitter? Also, we would love to hear your comments at the end of the article.
Sending you a lot of “Aloha” (love) & “Mahalo” (thank you) for being a part of our “Ohana” (family)!
😀
June 14th, 2010 at 12:28 am
Find your voice and inspire others…Wow, Kellie! What an incredible blog. I love this perspective and had not heard of the human needs as described in that manner, truly covers the “essence.” And I really liked the concept of the four basic assumptions and the need to tap into all these dimensions.
Thanks!
Gigi
June 14th, 2010 at 4:16 am
Aloha Gigi,
Thank you for your kind comments. I am so happy you gained so much from this article. Yes, if you live by the 4 assumptions, your life will change very quickly!
Aloha 🙂
June 14th, 2010 at 4:31 am
Thank you Kellie. It’s inspiring to watch how you discovered your voice and are now now honoring the four dimensions of your nature. I like Covey’s definition of voice as when one one’s talent and passion overlaps what the world needs. As I continue to seek out my voice, I know that I would not be where I am today had it not been for someone who believed in me and continues to do so, more than I believe in myself. I am eternally grateful. But to whom much is given, much is expected right? I have received a precious gift and I must share it, not keep it to myself. Live, love, learn and leave a legacy ~ that is the best definition I’ve heard of what life should be all about.
In gratitude,
Debs
June 14th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
So happy to see you are seeing the “gifts” you have been given Debra! And yes, to whom much is given, much is expected. What so cool about that statement is that when you start giving to others the gift you have been given, you actually receive another gift in return. It’s a very synergistic dimension of “giving”. I look forward to seeing your precious gifts being shared. Aloha 🙂
June 14th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Kellie,
Your words speak the truth of what is occurring now through the connections we form. This truly is an avenue people can utilize to find their voice and share. Isn’t it amazing how things show up when you’re ready to hear the message! 🙂
So glad you shared Stephen’s book with us. I hadn’t read that one yet.
Val 🙂
Val WilcoxÃ�´s last blog post ..It’s All About The Story
June 14th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Aloha Val!
Thank you for your comments! It’s always so nice to see you here on our blog. I am glad you enjoyed Stephen Covey’s message. He saw this all coming a long time ago. Isn’t it amazing…when the student is ready the teacher will come…I was ready to hear his message now. Much aloha 🙂
June 14th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Aloha Kellie!
What an incredible blog post!! Wow factor!! In my career I have always reflected back on the principles of Stephen Covey’s 7 habits of Highly Effective People. Interesting that I don’t yet own the 8th habit :O BUT, your blog post has inspired to get it today! Great knowledge on the different economical ages and eras. It’s fascinating to observe the times. Makes sense now and it’s beautiful to have a clear understanding of where we are today and what to capitalize on. Knowledge is the new currency. It’s learning how to set your sail and ride the times of change. Indeed we are living in exciting times!
With love and light,
Shannon
Shannon Tecson�´s last blog post ..Why I love Social Media
June 14th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
You don’t have the 8th Habit?…LOL…I thought you had every book! Actually, I read in back in 2004, and I wasn’t ready for his message until now. 🙂 I am so glad you are finding all of this new information fascinating. You are an incredible Leader and I am so proud of you! Much love & gratitude 🙂
June 16th, 2010 at 1:18 am
Hi Kellie! Great post. I love the idea of finding your own voice and then, helping others to find theirs.
Jeanine
Jeanine Byers Hoag�´s last blog post ..Heal Your Fear of Rejection, Part Two
June 16th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Aloha Jeanine,
So very nice to meet you here on our blog! We are so happy you enjoyed out post. We hope to see you here again.
Aloha 🙂
June 16th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Isn’t it funny how you can read a book a second time and there’s all sorts of awarenesses in there that you could Swear weren’t there before?!
I’ve had this happen several times, which is partly why I never get rid of the books that speak to me LOL
Thanks for an informed and informative summary of some very important Awarenesses. I loved the 4 Assumptions – definitely words to live by.
Bliss and blessings
the goddess known as Jacqui
Jacqueline Gates�´s last blog post ..30 Day Challenge and 6 month Progress Report
June 16th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Aloha Jacqui,
Yes, it is so interesting isn’t it. As the years pass, every time I re-read or re-listen to a personal growth book or CD, this always happen. It’s almost like I reading a different book. It just shows how much we all change as the years go by, and we see things very differently.
Glad you enjoyed the article. Aloha 🙂
June 16th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
I absolutely love the lessons here about us living from 4 sources: body, heart, mind, and spirit. Many people in our world are only paying attention to the first, and can’t seem to get past that. It’s our job as entrepreneurs and visionaries to spread the message – it is from the heart, mind, and spirit that we are freed and able to live our best lives.
Thanks for this review. I also read this book many years ago, may have to revisit it soon 🙂
June 16th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Aloha Kathy,
Thank you so much for visiting our blog! I am so happy you enjoyed the article and the 4 sources. I love that too! And yes, let me know if you re-visit the book. It came with an awesome DVD with clips of lessons. Aloha 🙂
June 16th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
hiya kellie! i was given covey’s first book as a high schooler and luckily held onto it until i was mature enough to “get it”. the 8th principle is great–thanks stephen (and to you for sharing!)
Melissa McCloud�´s last blog post ..Shareholders Attack Mercedes Benz CEO
June 16th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Aloha Melissa,
Yes, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a very good book. Hope you get to read it. Thanks for visiting. Aloha 🙂
June 16th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Great subject and post. We are part and participants in an amazing time when we are waking up from our sense of individual insignificance, to recognising how connected and powerful we each are, and the unique contribution each of us has to make. Technology off course is the conduit for finding our individual and collective voice, for being heard and inspiring others to do the same. Is prescient in a sense of Covey to have written in the 8th habit about what we are today witnessing happen in such an pervasive way.
Thanks for sharing,
Johneal
Johneal Rouse�´s last blog post ..Reframing Adversity and Powerlessness- 2
June 18th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Aloha Johneal,
Wow, I love your very insightful comments. Thank you for visiting and really understanding the messages behind the blog post.
I am so happy to meet you here and hope you will visit often. I’d love to get to know you better.
Love & aloha 🙂
June 17th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Kellie,
What can I say, but you inspire me with every post you write. I am so glad we have become friends through our tribe. It is truly amazing how much people have to share when they find their “true voice’ and begin to share it with the world.
Your friend,
Scott
Scott ScalesÃ�´s last blog post ..Designing Your Personal Brand For “Golden Arches” Exposure
June 18th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Awe, you are so sweet Scott! I am so happy to see you here visiting as I know you are very busy these days. It thrills me to see that you are inspired by my posts as they are just “me” expressing what I’ve learned over my 15 year journey in the home based business industry.
Thank you my friend! Much love & aloha 🙂
June 17th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Kellie,
I love the heart and the precious reminder – to find my voice and to inspire the others to do the same. This is a very dear sound to my ears – both physical and spiritual, because it is the essence of my life purpose.
Thank you for wisely reminding us.
This is a powerful, always on time reminder.
Gratefully,
Venus 🙂
Venus :)�´s last blog post ..Who Are You Really? (part 5)
June 18th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Aloha Venus,
I am so glad you enjoyed this article. You, my friend have definitely found your voice. Thank you for your wisdom and for being willing to share it with all of us. I will accept your words and feel very graced by you. Much love & aloha 🙂
June 20th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Thanks Kellie, truly inspirational… Thank you for reminding me that finding my voice is part of who I am and my destiny to touch others. Kellie you have a gift to inspire and thank you for this post may it touch many to find their voice… I love Stephen Covey and the value he brings
take care
Kaye
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Aloha Kaye,
So nice to see you again! I am so happy you found our post helpful and thank you for your kind words! I love Stephen Covey too! Aloha 🙂
June 21st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Inspiring, Kellie! Your posts are always uplifting. The four parts of our nature must be in balance for us to live at our highest level. Thanks for taking the time to share your voice.
Teresa Ivory�´s last blog post ..Do You Work For Free?
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Aloha Teresa,
Thank you for your kind comments! It is my pleasure to share my voice with everyone and as you know Teresa, as I stretch to share and be transparent, I grow so much in the process. Thank you for sharing in this process with me. Aloha 🙂
June 21st, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Kellie,
I have enjoyed Covey’s writings for a long time, and his principles in this book closely resemble Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Being a longtime student of psychology and human nature, I can agree that people respond based on their personal positioning in this hierarchy. Definitely good information to have “in pocket” as we interact with people in life and business. Also, in recognizing where we are, and maintaining healthy self awareness.
On another note…I love this “Voice is when your talent and your passion overlaps what the world needs.” Awesome message!
Krista
Krista AbbottÃ�´s last blog post ..Gulf Oil Spill Deepwater Horizon: A Child’s View
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Aloha Krista,
Thank you for your comments and for your wisdom! It’s such a joy to see you here on our blog! Stephen Covey is the best! Aloha 🙂