Paradigm shift in perceptions and habits for effectiveness

Paradigm is a hypothesis or model that is upheld in a community or any other social, professional or economic unit. Initially, it was used to refer to perceptions members of a scientific community (hard science), that they alone, share. The term Paradigm shift was first used by Thomas Kuhn to describe a change in the basic assumptions, or paradigms, within the ruling theory of science. However, since the 1960s, the term has also been used in numerous non-scientific contexts to describe a profound change in a fundamental model or perception of events We have perceptions and habits from nature and nurture that hold us back. If we stood back and took a fresh look at issues that confront us, then we would act differently and more effectively. This is what , Steven Covey, in his books ‘7 Habits of highly effective people’ and ‘The 8th Habit’ talks about. The books make a good read. In summary, these habits help make you more effective are as below First, be Proactive; don’t take things as given in your life. Whether you know it or not, you carefully design your life. The choices are yours. You choose happiness, sadness, success, failure, etc. Every situation gives you a perfect opportunity to do things differently to produce more positive results. Take responsibility for your life. Recognize that you are response-able. Second; begin with the end in mind. Use imagination--the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes. Create twice: mental (first) creation, and a physically (second) creation. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. Visualize who you are and what you want in life. Develop a Personal Mission Statement. It focuses on what you want to be and do. It is your plan for success. It puts your goals in focus, and moves your ideas into the real world. Third: Put first things first. Recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay. Don’t overextend yourself. Say no when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities. First things are those things you, personally, find of most worth. If you put first things first, you are organizing and managing Fourth; think Win-Win. It isnt about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration. Mostly we think about succeeding in terms of someone else failing. Life becomes a zero-sum game. Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. It means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying and are characterized by Integrity, maturity, and abundance mentality. Fifth; seek first to understand, then to be understood. Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend years learning how to read and write, to speak; never listening. Most people seek first to be understood;. Next; we need to Synergize. Synergy means two heads are better than one. It is teamwork, open-mindedness, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. Together, they can produce far better results that they could individually. Synergy lets us discover jointly things we are much less likely to discover by ourselves. It is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. One plus one equals three, or six, or sixty. Seven; Preserving and enhance the greatest asset you have--you. Have a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical (Beneficial eating, exercising, and resting), social/emotional (making social and meaningful connections with others), mental (Learning, reading, writing, and teaching), and spiritual (meditation, music, art, prayer). Being highly effective is the price of entry. To thrive, innovate, excel, and lead in this new reality, reach beyond effectiveness toward fulfillment, contribution, and greatness. Unfortunately majority of people are not thriving. Tapping into the higher reaches of human motivation requires a new mindset, a new skill-set --a new habit. Sam Kebongo is an skills and business advisory services consultant. He also teaches entrepreneurship at Rwanda Tourism University College. sam.kebongo@gmail.com