7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens: Habit 6

7 Habits of Highly Successful Students
Habit 6

Habit 6: Synergize

Synergy is achieved when two or more people work together to create something better than either could alone. Through this habit, teens learn it doesn’t have to be “your way” or “my way” but rather a better way, a higher way. Synergy allows teens to value difference and better appreciate others. Synergy is the reward, the delicious fruit you’ll taste as you get better at living the other habits, especially at thinking Win- Win and seeking first to understand. Learning to synergize is like learning to form v formations with others instead of trying to fly through life solo. You’ll be amazed at how much faster and farther you’ll go. Synergy doesn’t just happen. It’s a process. You have to get there. And the foundation of getting there is this: Learn to celebrate differences.

A good band is a great example of synergy. It’s not just the drums. Or the guitar, or the sax, or the vocalist, it’s all of them together that make up the “sound.” Each band members brings his or her strengths to the table to create something better than each could alone. No instrument is more important than another, just different.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens: Habit 5

7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens
Habit 5

5. Seek First to Understand, and then to be Understood

Because most people don’t listen very well, one of the great frustrations in life is that many don’t feel understood. This habit will ensure your teen learns the most important communication skill there is: active listening.

Why is this habit the key to communication? It’s because the deepest need of the human heart is to be understood. Everyone wants to be respected and valued for who they are---a unique, one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-cloned individual. People won’t expose their soft middles unless they feel genuine love and understanding. Once they feel it, however, they will tell you more than you may want to hear. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Listen with your eyes, heart, and ears. 7 percent of communication is contained in the words we use. The rest comes from body language (53 percent) and how we pronounce words, or the tone and feeling reflected in our voice (40 percent).

Most people are eager to talk and had rather talk then listen. We have one mouth and two ears. This means we should listen twice as much as we talk. We actually learn more while listening rather than when we talk. Learn to listen and listen to learn.  Listen, really listen, for understanding.

Seek first to understand then to be understood--- LISTEN.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!