Ambition. Without Am, it's just bition.

It's been awhile since I have posted, but I think what I have to say now may be a bit more interesting. There are many strange things that happen in my life and I think I may need to start detailing them.

The other day, my lovely wife, Laura, was in deep thought.

"Whatcha thinkin' about, babe?" and yes, that's how I talk.

"Well, I was thinking about all this baby stuff I saw online, like burp cloths, blankets and so much stuff that I could make. I really think I'd like to get into baby making."

There was a long pause at this moment. I sat still with a gazed look as Laura stopped and realized, based on my perplexed expression, that she had said something wrong. 

"OH!"

"Yes dear?"

"I meant, um, baby creating."

And yet another awkward pause.

"I MEAN, um, creating stuff for babies."

"There you go."

"It's so hard to be me."

So there you have it. My wife wants to make babies... apparently...

Habit 7: Sharpen the saw

Relax. Enjoy life. Meditate. Overall: rejuvenate yourself!! Basically, be sure to practice the four components which many believe make up the human being:

1. Exercise the body
2. Sharpen your mind
3. Meditate and work on your spirit
4. Care for your important relationships by keeping a good heart

I think 1, 2, and 3 are pretty obvious but the 4th one there is about practicing habits 4, 5 and 6 in your every day life.

Keep a positive attitude and be enthusiastic.

It's sounds all gooey, weird and oddly obvious but be honest with yourself... how often do we practice this stuff?? Some days I struggle, but over all, when I make the conscious effort, I find each day a little easier than the last!

Habit 6: Synergize

This is the 3rd and final habit in the "public victory" which means the final habit that allows you to deal with a team and opening yourself emotionally to work with other people.

Basically, synergy is taking all the previous habits and using them in a team environment. When you think win/win for instance, you are coming up with a "third alternative" that will allow everyone to benefit. It's about improving your spiritual, emotional and social sides of your life.

Synergize... sounds like a yoga technique. But it's a result of living your life through the previous 5 habits and being able to handle yourself and all different types of people.

Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then be understood

One of the important things to understand about all of the 7 habits is, just because someone points this stuff out, doesn't mean many... well really, any, people follow it. So this next habit is about communication. The habits are about influencing AND helping others. And the best way to do this is to actively listen and understand someone's situation and/or concerns.

For example, I'm a consultant. If I don't listen and fully understand what my clients need, I'd be out of a job. A client will tell me what they need, they need me to understand them, once that has happened, I can then tell them what their options are, what I am able to do and what will be a mutually exclusive solution. That is when they will understand me. It wouldn't be very effective to provide a business solution that doesn't match a business problem.

It was often my mom would tell me "Just shut up, and listen." Funny thing, I now live by that.

Habit 4: Think Win/Win

We hear it all the time. In life there are winners and there are losers. And why is that? Because a few successful jackasses screwed over a ton of people to get to the top. So, lots of people just followed suit. But we see it often, burn all the bridges in your way and eventually there aren't any left to help you get back across when the time comes.

So habit 4, think win/win is using the attitude that there are are resolutions to conflicts or to mere situations that are mutually beneficial to all parties involved. It's the "third alternative."

Really, it's safe to say this is a "mature" mindset. The "I win, you lose" mindset is really childish in most situations... maybe not all... but probably most.

And here is a kicker for many people: What do I do if I am unable to come up with a win/win situation in a family or business situation? The answer is simple: Walk away. Really? Just walk away?? Yes, when you walk away, you don't burn any bridges by winning and making someone else lose and you don't lose by giving up and letting someone else win.

Need an example? Well, when my wife and I are having a bitter, heated discussion. We come up with a mutually beneficial solution: I go play Mario Kart Wii and she gets the last word. We all win. Except when she then joins me and beats me at Mario Kart... then there is no win/win and I just walk away.

I'm back from a month hiatus!

Alright, so I've been busy and haven't posted in a month. I want to post on some stuff that is a bit more interesting as well. So here are all the rest of the 7 habits right now!