Independence Elusive? Try Focusing on Being Resourceful

Covey Habits I – III

Thoughts on Dependence to Independence

As I review these 7 Covey Habits, I notice an implied sequence – to get to Continual Improvement you need to master Interdependence and to master Interdependence you need to first master Independence.  It may be my own brain wanting to create a sequence so I’ll let Covey off the hook here.  I am noticing how my ’sequential perspective’ on implementing the habits is really limiting for a Global Creative.

I suggest we take a global approach on these excellent work attributes.  Developing Interdependence (Habits IV-VI) and committing to self-renewal/’sharpen the saw’ work (Habit VII) can both help develop Independence (Habits I-III).

We can all agree on the workplace value of independence.  When you exhibit excellent responsive skills, it’s not always easy to work independently.  Responders rely on others (other people and other things) to help shape the structure they work within.  Reviewing your choices (I), vision (II) and priorities (III) with someone else can look a lot like dependence.  It is not. It is about being responsible and resourceful.  Global Creatives have brains that benefit from timely reviews.  Whoever said you needed to go into an isolation chamber to clarify and reinforce choices, vision and priorities?

Reviewing these important items can feel a lot like picking over the “Day Old Muffin Bin”.  No fun.  Yet tearing apart a day old muffin can reveal some valuable insight.  Clarity here will help neutralize overwhelm and take us one big step closer to matching action with intention.

If you want to move your agenda forward find creative ways (accessing Interdependence) to review choices, vision and priorities and to move them to completion points.

Cameron Gott PCC

ADHD Coach

Washington DC, Virginia and the World