After reading the first part of Covey’s book, I would say that I have a good understanding of the material and that Covey has at the very least organized and put a face on ideas that have been apparent to me over the past few years that I have been here. I am obviously not an expert in these areas, as a little bit of reflecting on my bad habits would show. However, the have been on my mind and I appreciate the things that Covey has added to what I have read elsewhere and already determined for myself.
I will begin with the over-arching idea found in Covey’s work—turning inside out and developing the character first. I would say (and I believe others would agree) that I am a man of character. Character is of great importance to me, especially when dealing with others. However, it is often difficult to realize the latitude of importance that my own character has. I believe that I sometimes forget that my character is something I should build up, recharged, and realigned with what God wants me to be. If anything, Covey has brought that realization back to the front of my mind. For example, Covey explains that the way we look at things has a great deal to do with how we will react to things and how we will live our lives. Our paradigms do not necessarily control who we are but they do significantly alter how we choose to be. Actions are just as much attitudinal as they are anything else (23).
I have to admit that I have learned about attitude, actions, and character in my pre-marital sessions this summer. Tiffany and I learned that what could ruin a marriage quickly is not how much you fight, but rather how you fight. In other words, taking things personally, blaming, and taking shots are ineffective ways to communicate. They will only lead to more conflict and potentially feelings being hurt. Those emotional wound can then build up until they explode. Covey would say that a much better paradigm would be to strive for good character and build that relationship rather than simply trying to enjoy the benefits without putting forward the effort as in the fable of the golden eggs (52).
The balance between production and production capability is certainly the area that I struggle with most. I am notorious for working late and neglecting myself for the sake of getting more stuff done. My vices mostly consist of overbooking my time, procrastinating, and neglecting my own health including sleep, exercise, and healthy food to get work done. In the past, I have played video games, watched movies, and gone on senseless road trips instead of using my time more wisely. I can honestly say that I have significantly, almost completely cut down on those things this semester and I have accomplished more this semester than I ever could have had I spent more times with things like those.
That sounds well and good and I have even patted myself on the back for that accomplishment. However, what cost has it come at? I have also failed to fill my own tanks this semester as much as I could have. I ate out excessively. I did not make it to the gym once. I have not lost as much sleep this semester luckily. In reflection, I still do not have the seven habits down and that I why this book is important for me to read. It can save me a few years down the road from neglecting things—either my own health or my family—when things are coming to crunch time in ministry.
That being said, it is easy for me to see where these natural principals that Covey lists and the ideas that he has mention thus far in the reading would apply elsewhere in my life—especially in ministry. For example, the idea of turning the inside out and is paramount for incarnational ministry as is being interdependent. Teamwork is essential in ministry today because without teamwork we simply become overrun in the details—or sacrifice the details altogether for the “goose eggs” that bring instant gratification (such as just trying to be the “cool” youth minister that does nothing but play games and never actually relates to kids). It is easy to overlook seemingly minute parts of life, especially in ministry. That goes for small administrative tasks in ministry as well as for the youth minister himself. I could easily see myself burning out if I failed to sharpen the saw continually.
It is hard to look at youth ministry as I would look at a lawn mower, but as I consider it more, I can see that there are some aspects of minister that are considered maintenance work. The production/production capability balance (54- 59) is applicable in ministry. We minister from within ourselves and not necessarily from our personalities. It is true that skill and personality play a significant role in ministry, but my character and relationship with God is abundantly more important. Indeed, it is from within my soul and my relationship with God that I will minister.
I could easily continue with applications, but I believe that in reading the rest of the book I will understand these concepts better and grasp the applications in both ministry and my life. The overarching idea of the book thus far seems to be that we are more than who we are on the outside—who people think we are. Rather, how we think and how we see—our paradigm–greatly influences what we do. If we can base that paradigm on solid natural principles, we will notice changes for the better in our everyday lives. We will relate better. We will learn better. We will minister better. That is the goal of learning the seven habits.
