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Stephen R. Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
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Using FUTURLOGICS' methods and models to make Commentary
on
Stephen R. Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

• FUTURLOGICS authored by james n. hall copyright February 1983 and 2014

  Seven Habits of Highly Effective People  
  first published in 1989 by Stephen R. Covey  .
  
  Any book with such success should be studied, even if the content is not 
  studied for it's own sake. If any question should be asked, it is how has this 
  work been so successful?  What are the principles 'under the hood' that make
  the ideas in this book acceptable to such a large numbers of readers?  Surely 
  the phenomena and influence upon millions of readers and followers is an 
  example of Covey's "Habit 6" or the SYNERGY produced by the input of many his 
  many readers.  New words and concept are now in common usage in todays work 
  world through the influence of this book and teachings of Dr. Stephen R. Covey 
  personal touch.
  
  What follows on this web page is a discussion by James N. Hall author of 
  FUTURLOGICS  concerning the "SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE."  The 
  commentary is mainly styled for those who have already read this publication.  
  Nevertheless reading these commentaries first will serve as an overview to 
  frame reading.
  
  Comments in parens '()' are by james n. hall in the immediately following list 
  of Habits by Stephen R. Coveys book which sold many millions of copies  and 
  the overview of many tapes and lectures by this successful consultant and
  effective teacher.
  
  (HABIT ZER0 FUTURLOGICS a system of prospective thinking)
          Principle of self-teaching
  
          (To be explained later in this article and is not part of the original
           publication yet may be seen as an underlying principle)
          (* The Self Teaching Principle)
          (HABIT ZERO, HABIT ZER0)
          (There is no free will, self determination, free agency, or power to
           choose, decide, select without a FUTURE; and, all preparations to
           learn of the future is predicated upon PROSPECTIVE THINKING)
          Note: Habit ZERO or Habit ZER0 is a concept more fundamental than the
          original "Seven Habit of Highly Effective People".  It should preceed
          and succeed the theme of Covey's work.
          (Habit Zero is essentially the ability to teach oneself.)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 0.
  
    Value of Truth.
     
    Value of Knowledge.
    Enlightenment of Knowledge.
     
    Ability to reflect enables Futuring the Future.
    
    Passion, Diligence, Persistence, Perseverance.
    Prediction, Foretelling, Prophecy, Preparation, Planning.
    
    Metacognition and Thinking.
   
  
  
  
  HABIT 1 Be Proactive: 
          Principle of Personal Vision
  
          (Here we leave the the world of "group think" and venture into the 
           adventure self motivation and "personal think.")
  
          (Futurlogics is a system of Prospective Thinking to develop clear and
           well defined visions of what may be seen ahead, Covey  uses the human
           trait of self-awareness and imagination to capture these visions.)
  
          (DMP as the Ideal in Futurlogics for dealing with the abstract nature
           of the future)
  
          (DMP is simultaneously Direct Mind Perception and Direct Mental Process)
  
          (Direct Mind Perception is insight; Direct Mental Process is intuition )
  
          (PREACTIVITY or Pre-activity is greater than Proactivity and requires 
           prospective thinking) 
  
          (Remember the PREACTIVITY of prospective thinking preceeds THE PROACTIVE
           HABIT! or HABIT 2 is impossible without Habit 0. HABIT 1 should be the        
           consequence of the pre-thinking HABIT)
  
          (A vision of the past is not your guiding star)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 1.
  
  	
    Parental Influences, Tradition, Inheritance.  
   
  	
    Social Memes or Viral Changes in Society. 
  	
    Educational Agendas.    
  	
    Economic Differences Impact i.e. “follow the money,” "track the gold."   
  	
    Social Pressures, Conformity, Individuality.   
  	
    Language Patterns, Communications role in change mechanics.   
  	
    Group Thinking vs. Personal Thinking.  
  
  
  
  
  HABIT 3 Put First Things First:  (Author james n. hall sees Habit 3 comes before Habit 2)
          Principle of Personal Management  (You have to manage yourself before you lead others!)
  
          (Where are your priorities as a decision making method?)
  
          (Strength of character as a basis of time management)
  
          (Ponder and weigh the possibilities and probabilities, waiting)
  
          (See the Application  Section of the Futurlogics as it covers much
           the same territory i.e. Waiting,Preparing,Planning,Universal 
           Engineering)
  
          (Time management without a fullness of the future is only approximate
           management full of surprises, Futurlogics can give clarity to the
           temporal environment.)
  
          (Futurlogics chapter on WAITING is somewhat similar to the Forth 
           Generation Time Management mentioned by Dr. Covey)
  
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 3.
  
    Professional Expertise,Specialization effect/affect on Observation.
     
    Life Span, Experience role in thinking, learning, study.
    Specialization of Occupations vs. the Generalist in futuring.
    
    Veracity of Data  and Accuracy of Research, Trust.
    
    Peacetime Science vs. Wartime Science, Industry.
    
    Scientific Paradigm Distortion i.e. “Old School vs. New School.” 
    Unspoken Agendas in Science.
  
  
  
  
  HABIT 2 Begin with End in Mind: 
          Principle of Personal Leadership
  
          (Establish your legacy by seeing ahead to what you will leave behind
           as an altruistic sacrafice or a vision of your contribution)
  
          (Consider your guiding star(s) or backcasting your vision )
  
          (Nearly the same as the cycle/mode/model/future/paradigm pattern in 
           Futurlogics  )
  
          (Beyond Goal Orientation to Future Orientation with prospective 
           thinking)
  
          (The principles of prospective thought do more than building a legacy
           it prepares us for the adventures of the future of the future) 
  
          (Using long range vision to guide short range views.)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 2.
  
    Academic Authority vs. the Self Evident.  
   
    Inability to Handle the “Abstract Concepts.”
    Administration of Resources or Influence of Money in Research.
     
    Acknowledgement of Originality vs. False Claims of Discovery.
    
    Mixed Metaphors or Hazards of the Never Ending Brain Storm.
    
    Differences in Individual Attitudes Towards Intuition/Insight.
    
    Mental Capacity to think of more than one thing at a time.
   
  
  
  
  HABIT 4 Think Win/Win: 
          Principle of Interpersonal Leadership.
  
          (Build people who will in turn assist you in obtaining your goals)
  
          (Service and succor you can provide to market your service/product)
  
          (Perhaps in some cases the Habit 8 should be applied here)
  
          (Mechanics of Teamwork, Mutual Trust)
  
          (Inspire cooperation!)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 4.
  
    Emotional Attachment  to “Visions”, Theories, Guesses . . . .
     
    False Peer Reviews or No Peer Reviews.
    Disregarding Insight and Intuition.
     
    Proper Social Relationships vs. Clinical Approach.
    
    Recognizing  Hidden Value or Gold Mining Data.
    
    Explaining Concepts in Simplicity is the Best Answer.
    
    Premature Judgment vs. Waiting too Long.
   
  
  
  
  HABIT 5 Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood: 
          Principle of Empathic Communication
  
          (Take care to really know where you are before you begin to explain 
           where you are going.)
  
          (Charity, care, diligence, harmless, judgeless, accepting contact with
           social realities)
  
          (Know your audience before you speak)
  
          (Be real and relavant to others)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 5.
  
    Valuing, Honoring, Creativity and Genius.
     
    Foremost Authorities in Research and their Value in Planning.
    Recognizing How Revolutionary Ideas Form or Transform.
     
    Respecting the Non Experts Perspective in Futuring the Future.
    
    Deep Research and Casual Study.
    
    Benefits of Positive Life and Good Health.
    
    Respecting Power of Natural Forces to Benefits Memes.
  
  
  
  HABIT 6 Synergize: 
          Principle of Creative Cooperation
    
          (This is 'Barn Building' as portrayed by Barbara Sher in "Wishcraft"
  
          (DMP enlightenment and intuition pooled at the social level in  the
           foundation of freedom)
  
          (The results of a creative enterpise if fed back to the enterprise will
           and can cause greater conditions to promote greater creativity.)
  
          (Two heads working together are better than two head working in 
           isolation of one another)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 6.
  
    Love of Truth.
     
    Love of Knowledge.
    Light of Knowledge.
     
    Strength of Consciousness enables Futuring the Future.
    
    Diligence, Persistence, Perseverance.
    Prediction, Foretelling, Prophecy, Preparation, Planning.
    
    Maintain of Feedback Communication.
   
  
  
  
  HABIT 7 Sharpen the Saw: 
          Principle of Balanced Self-renewal
  
          (Metacognition and RE-creation, Sunday day of rest, think smarter not
           harder)
  
          (Prospective thinking is the sharpening medium to do the tool 
           improvement to get that 'Upward Spiral' or 'Expanding Spiral' of 
           Futurlogics.)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 7.
  
    Love of Truth.
     
    Love of Knowledge.
    Certainty of Knowledge.
     
    Strength of Consciousness enables Clarity of the Thought.
    
    Diligence, Persistence, Perseverance.
    Prediction, Foretelling, Prophecy.
    
    Beware of False Certainty.
   `
  
  
  
  HABIT 8 Find your voice and inspire others to find their voice: 
          From Effectiveness to Greatness Mentoring
  
          (A Guru for everyone)
  
          (Mentoring will prepare one for  the new thinking for the future needed
           for the KNOWLEDGE BASED societal age)
  
          (It appears Dr. Covey is changing his "Seven Habits of Highly Effective
           People" to "Eight Habits of Highly  Affective  People")
  
          (Four attributes of the great leaders are VISION, DISCIPLINE, PASSION, 
           and CONSCIENCE.  Dr Covey melds these in to the qualities of great 
           leadership.  The VISION attribute is in the provence of FUTURLOGICS 
           and prospective thinking, as it is defined as the leaders grasp of 
           the future.  Futurlogics can perfect vision with clarity and 
           creativity.  The HABITS disappear when there is no future.  The more
           the leader knows of the future the greater is his power to lead.)
  
  
  	Seven Study Subjects for gaining Habit 8.
  
    Engendering Love of Truth.
     
    Engendering Love of Knowledge.
    Amount of Knowledge.
     
    Certainty of Experience enables Mentoring the Next Generation.
    
    Diligence, Persistence, Perseverance.
    Prediction, Foretelling, Prophecy.
    
    Beware of False Certainty.
   
  
  
  
  The first observation concerning using habits as a thinking system is that:
  
     A. In specific HABITUAL thinking can limit the ability to improve ideas 
        or generate new ideas.
  
     B. In general HABITUAL thinking can limit less the ability to improve ideas 
        or generate new ideas if the habits are founded upon principles, but 
        still there is a limiting affect .  This affect is admittedly lessened 
        with Habits founded upon principles as the Covey "Seven Habits" yet there 
        should be a concern when the time for idea generation is required as in
        brainstorm sessions or "Barn Building" .  
  
     C. Paradigms as Covey defines them are sometimes very persistent especially
        when habits are reinforced by a culture or family.  These will often
        be difficult to shift or overcome.
  
     D. Much importance is put upon the space between 'stimulus' and 'response',
        but there is space before 'stimulus'  and there is space after 'stimulus'
        and there is space before 'response' and there is space after 'response'.
        Futurlogics is concerned with as a system of prospective with the space
        before any stimulus.  This is necessary to prepare for
        the stimulus and prepare for a response through planning.
  
     E. "The power of an accurate paradigm lies in its ability to explain and 
         predict"  quote Stephen R. Covey in his book the "EIGHTH HABIT".
         The Paradigm mode/model of FUTURLOGICS is the paradigm builder that
         will be the connection to HABIT ZER0 or futurlogics.  In other words
         futurlogics breaks covey's paradigm down to thinkable components.
  
        
  
  The point is HABITS in the true sense of the word will channel thinking but
  Stephen R. Covey defines HABIT in another way; he has borrowed this word to 
  represent his concept of HABIT. Often the HABITS in the true sense of the word 
  do constrict thinking but his principle based HABITS will be more liberating.
  
  A person who has never experience a 'paradigm shift' will not relate to the need
  for a shift.  However, if you are used to shifts occuring regularly constant
  shifting is expected and wanted in some respects.  Creativity is the impetus
  for the 'paradigm shift.'
  
  Creativity is mentioned only at the social level of the interpersonal or HABIT 6. 
  The use of Futurlogics as the Personal Habit level should compensate for the 
  apparent *"Group Think".  Yet a brainstorm team does reach the synergy of idea
  generation that often the personal level overlooks due to a personal bias.
  Personal biases do and will offset themselves at the group brain storm session.
  Actually both methods of generating ideas are benificial to idea creation.
  We must 'value the difference' to best reach creative synergy.
  
  *note: Any time you think best in a social setting your thinking is a product 
  of the 'social mirror'.  This is in part 'Group Thinking.'
  
  Let us pause here to note that  MODE in futurlogics is a level more
  primitive than the Covey Paradigm concept.  It is a component, if you will.
  Example in FUTURLOGICS a cycle produces a mode, switching modes sets up a 
  model, models or paradigms are directed to the future, paradigms in 
  Futurlogics are both modal and model yet they are Paradigms.  Any view or 
  foreknowledge of the future is at once a paradigm.  All paradigms are 
  prospective in nature.  A paradigm is a template or map to deal with the
  unknown or the future possibilities.
  
  BELOW ARE EXTRACTS FROM FUTURLOGICS CONCERNING HABIT(S):
  
       Futurlogics enables us to alternate from one mode to another
  freely so that we can approach the future from many perspectives and
  evade the distortion of a narrow approach.  Even though the beginnings
  are mechanical, when the process is internalized we should find
  the emergence of DMP.  How do we internalize the procedure of
  Futurlogics?  It is by practice and conscious effort that it will
  eventually become HABIT and unconscious procedure.  It is during these
  stages that the sense of DMP will be felt and is discernible in our
  thought process.
  
  THE SIX MODES ARE THE RESULT OF SUBCONSCIOUS FORETELLING
  
       Each of the favorite modes that have been discussed is the
  product of subconscious process.  Even though the modes may have
  begun as a conscious process, through constant use they become
  HABITS, so that finally an approach which began without any awareness
  of the other ways of approaching the future becomes ingrained and
  the other ways are discounted.
  
  . . . 
  
       Futurlogics begins as a conscious system of prediction, but as it
  becomes HABITUAL it proceeds to a subconscious transition of
  foretelling which is the beginning of DMP.  Once DMP is experienced,
  then the only better way of learning of the future is through the
  high-altitude method of prophesy.
  
  . . . 
  
       The cause-effect principle is important to the concept here developed:
  mere existence causes things to happen.  These effects of our
  existence are willed or they are involuntary.  When they are willed, we
  enter a special category of material interaction.  Whenever we alter
  conditions and cause specific effects to occur, we are preparing.
  Anything that causes a desired effect, and is done purposely, is
  preparing.  When we learn to control who we are and how we do
  things--engineering them to specific designs and plans--we are preparing,
  even if our preparedness has become HABITUAL and below awareness.
  
  . . . 
  
       Thirdly, HABITS are a big part of everything we do.  If we constantly
  put off preparation for tomorrow soon we find that it is a HABIT.
  We procrastinate until the reality of the event is upon us and we
  then experience the sudden stress of urgency and lack of time to
  adequately prepare.
       Forthly, we get into the habit of putting off for tomorrow because
  the event is so far into the future its remoteness tempts us to say that
  we have  "plenty of time."  This suggestion to our subconscious may
  also start the HABIT we mentioned.
  
  . . . 
  
          Realistic goals should be kept within the scope of our resources
  and abilities. Many men have equal ability, but unequal resources, however
  unfortunate this may be, and it is a fact that must be considered with the
  process of goal selection. Ability can be seen as a resource, and nothing
  should be thought impossible, as pessimism kills the imagination which is
  the key to creative planning. The point is that excessive failure is taken
  by some to be HABIT forming and frames much successive behavior.
          Long-range plans will naturally affect short-range plans, but many
  short-range plans we make daily can also give thrust to the lon-range as
  goals come from our motivational system.  If we are HABITUALLY
  shortsighted, then the HABIT will influence goals we select in longer term
  planning.
  
  . . . 
  
       2.  As with all human behavior, planning is rooted in HABIT.
  Overcoming HABITS of avoidance is one of the first things we must do
  to improve our innate skills of planning and creativity.
  
  END OF QUOTED EXTRACTS FROM FUTURLOGICS CONCERNING HABIT(S):
  
  If I understand Stephen R. Covey Seven Habits, which are based upon principles, 
  they liberate us from habits based upon imbalance and  off-centeredness and the
  'social mirror'.
  
  Principles are the mainstay of the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People."
  
  Futurlogics 'habit' is based upon the general overall Self Teaching Principle.
  
  HABIT 7 Sharpen the Saw: 
          Principle of Balanced Self-renewal.
          (Metacognition and RE-creation, Sunday day of rest, think smarter not
           harder, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure')
          (I believe that prospective thinking is the sharpening stone upon which
           the tools are sharpened.  It is the wet stone of the Seven/Eight 
           Habits. It is Habit Zer0.) 
          (HABIT SEVEN is the boot strap habit upon which all other habits are
            lofted)
          (We must always tune the violin before playing the notes)
  
  Habit Seven is taking time to Sharpen the Saw.  It surrounds the other habits
  on the 'Seven Habits' paradigm because it is the habit that makes all the
  other (habits) possible.  Where do you get the TIME but by
  prospective thinking where foreknowledge of certain events give one the
  advance information to leverage the time and space to sharpen tools.
  
  Futurlogics is the upward spiral that makes the tools that sharpens the 
  'saw'.  It takes a tool to make a tool or sharpen a tool.  Consider that 
  the mind is the ultimate tool to sharpen all other tools.
  
  There is this claim in FUTURLOGICS that is worth quoting at this point.
  
      Futurlogics is a self-improvement book, as the subject of the
  future lends itself to the technique used in that class of writing
  currently published.  The reader may find it helpful to view this work in the
  same format as these to obtain the goals of the book.  Most self-improvement 
  books are "now" oriented, formulated to improve status, prestige, and power.  
  Instead, we are to go ahead to the future, seeking success promised in these 
  other books will be easier and viable.
  
  . . . 
  
       Positive mental attitudes--thinking big and self-improvement
  programs--suggest that we are guided by our beliefs.  Without understanding
  the future we are in danger of losing the potential and latent
  talents we possess.  After all, the goals we choose come from our belief
  in what the future might be.  Understanding the future and mastering
  Futurlogics assists us in achieving our goals.  To do this, we must think
  big, be positive, and accept progress.
  
  
  Stephen R. Covey "SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE" can be divided into
  four general sections:
  
  PRIVATE VICTORY (Character Building)(Principle Development)(Three Habits 1,2,3)
  INTERPERSONAL VICTORY (Public Victory)                     (Three Habits 4,5,6)
  SHARPENING THE TOOLS  (Upward Spiral)                      (Habit 7)
  MENTORING (Find own voice, help others find their voice)   (Habit 8)
  
  
  How does Futurlogics assist in building this 'Habit Paradigm'?
  
  Private Victory is enhance at every level with Prospective Thinking or 
     Futurlogics the advance thinking model .
  
  Interpersonal Victory There is no Public Victory without a Private
     Victory 
  
  Sharpening The Tools Basis of the Victories Futurlogics is the stone
     to sharpen the Tools to build the Principled Habits.
  
  Mentoring The Eighth Habit of helping other to find their voice after
     one find ones own voice.  Greatness comes from helping others to be great.
     Greatness comes from knowing what lies ahead and being in a position to 
     warn or guide others through the 'perils' and the good times also.
     Even if you are not the rudder of the organization, you can be the trim-tab
     of the rudder; but, remember a trim-tab moves opposite to the rudders 
     direction and this . . . can be seen as a disturbance and/or disobedience.
     Four modes of human existence are covered as spirit, mind, body, heart and
     these are positively manifest by modeling, pathfinding, aligning, empowering.
     of these pathfinding (chapter 11 in the EIGHTH HABIT) is the least understood.
  
  Quote from Futurlogics concerning the trim-tab theory:
  
       Opposition to change is not always detrimental because it can be
  used as a pivot to effect changes that would not otherwise be possible.
  All change is met with oppositition and this principle cannot be 
  escaped, so the best thing we can do is use the opposition to further
  produce the desired goal.  This is where intelligence is a prime factor in
  preparing.  Pure intelligence is a force with no opposition.
  
  End Quote.
  
     Futurlogics could be of great assistence here as it is the visioning and
     common goal selection for your organizaition.  It is seeing the future
     from the same perspective.
     
  
  
  If you have started with FUTURLOGICS then where do you go?  One recommended 
  direction is to go to the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" 
  by Stephen R. Covey.
  		
  
  			
  
  
   Still Teaching Personal Greatness
  
  Click image above to go to Stephen R. Covey's Website  
   
  		
  After the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, where do
  you go?  To his Eighth Habit, but if you want to go to greater depth of under-
  standing of the mechanics of the Paradigm Principle--then dig into Futurlogics
  the final tool sharpening stone.  If one want to analyze the basic nature of 
  Paradigms, you will need Futurlogics to study the components of the Paradigm 
  splayed out as the rainbow by the prism of the mind.  
  
  Futurlogics is the Synergy at the Personal Principle Level or the Self Teaching 
  Principle Level of intuition and insight which acts as the prism of thought.
  This is referenced as DMP for short in the Futurlogics Theory.
  
  Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is the Synergy at the Interpersonal
  level based upon the four endowments unique to man i.e. self-awareness,
  imagination, conscience, independent will.  According to Dr. Covey when
  "Effective People" work together there is a second level of Synergy that
  will be evident as the 'Eighth Habit.'
  
  As of this writing October 2005 there is one other on the web who has used a
  concept that could be termed Habit #0. This Habit #0 is quote here to exemplify
  another view point.  The Pastor calls it Habit #0.
  
  Below is part of a Sermon by Pastor Joe Watson of Newman Georgia:
  
  Habit #0
  
  Proverbs 3:1-6
  
  1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
  2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
  3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
  4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
  5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
  6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 
  
  . . . 
  
   We are going to be talking for the next few weeks about some of the things 
  we can do to help the cause. Next week, we will begin referring to the book "
  Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". I want to touch a little today on the
  book. Seven Habits was written by a man named Stephen Covey. Stephen Covey, if 
  you didn't know, is a member of the church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. 
  He is a Mormon. As we talk about his book I want to be clear that I am not 
  endorsing his faith. The United Methodist Church is on record in its belief 
  that beliefs of the Mormon church do not fit within the bounds of the 
  historic, apostolic traditions of the Christian faith. If you are interested 
  in knowing more about how the Christian church views the Mormon church 

  
  Outside View on "Mormon" Church
  View on Stephen R. Covey

  there are a couple of web sites I would direct you to. They are listed on your 
  outline. We are in no way endorsing his belief system or his other writings. 
  But I do believe this book has some habits that can help us as Christians I am 
  grateful that we have a God that can speak through anyone. What we are going 
  to do is look at the principles in the book. Mainly, what we are drawing from 
  the book, are the chapter titles. I believe they do neatly sum up some biblical
  practices that we are going to be looking at.
  
  There are seven. The first habit is Be Proactive and we are going to talk 
  about the words of Micah, when he talks about what the Lord requires of us. 
  The second is a call to begin with the end in mind. And there are we are going 
  to look at the apostle Paul, who knew exactly how he wanted people to remember 
  him. The third habit is put first things first and we are going to talk about
   Esther who had to put her life on the line when she put her priorities in 
  order. Fourth is think win/win and we are going to look at David who, 
  although he knew he would one day be king, did not want Saul to have to lose. 
  The fifth habit is seek first to understand and we will look at the encounter
   of Jesus and the woman at the well. The sixth habit is called synergize and 
  we will look at the day of Pentecost and the final habit is called sharpen 
  the saw and we will look at our prayer lives. I hope you will be here when 
  you are in town and will be a part of this. I am less concerned with us being 
  more effective people than I am with us being more faithful followers of Jesus.
  And I believe that as we grow more in God's wisdom, we do become more faithful 
  disciples. Wisdom is about more than not doing push ups with stitches in your 
  hands. And it begins with trusting and knowing the Lord. Trust in the Lord 
  with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways 
  acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. 
  
  Pastor Joe Watson of Cornerstone United Methodist Church Georgia
   link below is now 08/2011 inactive do not link 
  
  " HREF=http://www.umc-cornerstone.com/sermons/08_01_04.php Full Sermon Referencing Stephen Covey by Pastor Joe Watson  "
  
  I, james n. hall, am a mormon who has served a LDS mission to the country of 
  Australia for two years.  Like the Good Paster I am willing to find good ideas 
  anywhere they are found.  I will however use the above scripture in a different
  fashion, but prefer the classic King James version of the Bible.
  
  Below are Remarks on the Habit #0 in the above sermon by James N. Hall author 
  of FUTURLOGICS a system of prospective thinking:
  
  Proverbs 3:1-6 using the King James Version of the Bible.
  
                                      Proverbs 3:1
            1  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my 
            commandments:
    
  Retrospective Mode of the Absolute Future to use memory retain in thought.
  
                                      Proverbs 3:2
            2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to
            thee.
  
  Observational Mode of the Natural Future to uses our senses and industry
  as children are 'add' to you due to the commandment to honor parents.  In
  those days your retirement and security was in your children.  This is the
  daily interaction with the material world.  The world we observe before our
  eyes (senses).  This is the science of life.
  
                                      Proverbs 3:3
            3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck;
            write them upon the table of thine heart:
  
  Imaginary Mode of the Imaginary Future (tablet of your heart) or Imaginative
  powers to control and create spiritually and "see" within first.  The neck
  can turn the head or 'guide your principles with power of choice'.
  
                                      Proverbs 3:4
            4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight
            of God and man.
  
  Assumptive Mode of the Artificial Future where the rubber meets the road
  to meet the unknown and handle the unexpected with faith and good assertions
  to experiment mentally to prove and propose.  We 'find' by first assuming
  that it will be somewhere the we look there.  We assume by favoring certain
  'ifs' above others.  It is being lucky in guesses by educated guesses or
  assertions.  Let us assume we will win / win. 
  
                                      Proverbs 3:5
            5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
            own understanding.
  
  Creative Mode of the Synthetic Future where plans and preparation are founded
  upon the laws of the universe and higher sources.  When we create we apply
  our ideas to what does not yes exist before our eyes.  Trusting is the Blueprint
  (LORD) from which we can build by not doubting.   To lean does not mean to 
  completely forsake your own thought but it means to allow in new ideas that 
  promote greater thoughts.  We mentally create first with plans and preparations
  then we physically carry plans out and preparations with our 'own understanding'. 
  Creative persons trust they can create even when evidence says that it can't
  work.
  The creative personallity 'feels' his way to new ideas.
  
                                      Proverbs 3:6
            6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
  
  Prospective Mode of the Paradigm Future where this division of the future
  converges as both a Mode and a Model in one and the active shift of the Paradigm
  occurs.  Where the path ahead is mapped and forecast by this gestalt of "all
  thy ways".  To have a map of the unknown or the future can be great directing
  force.  A clear view of what is ahead helps in the decision making process.
  An acknowledgment of God is the Spirit of Prophesy.
  
  What is proposed here is that HABIT ZERO is actually Futurlogics and the 
  obtaining of DMP; or, Holistic Thinking in the Prospective Mode.  And: of 
  course, any inspiration is welcome.
  
  Further comments concerning a book written in collaboration with Stephen R. Covey 
  and A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill entitled "FIRST THINGS FIRST"
  copyright 1994 by Covey Leadership Center, Inc.
  
  On page 72 of this book is the following paragraphs:
  
  "The best way to predict your future is to create it.  You can use the same
  power of creative imagination that enables you to see a goal before you 
  accomplish it or plan a meeting to create much of the quality of your own
  reality before you live it."
  
  And on page 103 of this same book is the following paragraphs:
  
  "We all have some vision of our ourselves and our future.  And that vision
  creates consequences.  More than any other factor, vision affects  the
  choices we make and the way we spend our time."
  
  
  A couple of quotes from Futurlogics from first the Imaginative MODE and 
  then the Creative MODE: 
  
      "Memory ties us to the past; our senses observe the present, but
  what mental process enables us to consider the future?  Imagination is
  essential to prospective thought, suggesting that the analogy to the
  memory and sense observation may be the imagination.  However, the
  power of imagination is essential not only to prospective thought, but
  to thought in general.  We see this need immediately because we can
  imagine both the true and the false, the material and the immaterial.
  Imagination does more than enable the mind to view the future."
  
  . . .
  
      "We must realize that there will always be things and events that
  we can never create.  There are limits.  The ultimate limit may be man
  himself.  God, who seems to leave us to ourselves, may one day reveal
  those limits.  How much energy and power would it require to accomplish
  all the dreams of the mind?  If we learn to work with nature, it
  may not require any energy at all, except that of intelligence.  Making
  nature work for us is the art of creating a synthetic future we can live
  in.  Brute force and exercising muscles in every direction with no
  control or forethought may produce a synthetic future which no one
  can tolerate."
  
  Building a vision for the future with its attending goals is best approached
  with the view that the future must be seen through Six thought streams or
  modes and synergized with Holistic Thinking.
  
  The benefit of studying a thinking system such as Futurlogics is as follows : 
  
     With the advent and advancement of the computer there is now time to
     do  what  man can do better than the machines and that is really think
     and make  good  decisions.  The  Brain  is  so  flexible  that it can have
     millions of  thinking systems for every purpose.  Man must really learn to 
     think again.  Perhaps children think the way we should and we need a 
     reminder to get back to that  natural  thought process. Computers and
     computer modeling have given man time to think and the winner in the 
     competition to come is in the ones who are thinking best!  Top Management 
     will be equal in software and data processing as the Software Companies 
     unify, so the differences will be in the companys who can OUT THINK their 
     market competitors.  Computer process data.  People process knowledge.
     Foreknowledge is leverage to change the future!
  
  Below is a sample of a Futurlogics  organically defined prospective thinking 
  session.  Futurlogics is predominantly a private thinking system but can be 
  used in a group setting.
  
  Begin:
  
  Start by reviewing known historical facts, legends, writings on the subject
  of the Session realizing of course that the past is not history.  This may 
  establish the motives for the research.
  
  (A History  of the past gives meaning and tradition.  Futurlogics
  retrospective cycle generates the Retrospective Mode to produce the Absolute
  Future or solution. This cycle is very defensive of the Old Ideas and has the
  effect of volitive restriction and blunts the creative edge.  These expressions
  are usually so called "proven ideas".  This is in part a Right Brain approach)
  
  Second take the scientific method and look at the project of the Session with
  a clinical approach.  This is Similar to some facets of the Scanning the
  current information and gathering it in with no prejudgement .
  
  (Observation gives us sequential order, clarity, definition and quantification.
  Futurlogics Observational Cycle generates the Observational Mode to produce
  the Natural Future or solution.  This is where we step back and look at the
  propositions in the neutral form of learning.  These are ideas every body can
  see; or, arrive at consensus.  This similar to the Scientific Approach to
  discovery.  This is in part a Left Brain approach)
  
  Third let loose the imagination and project ideas by extended associations.
  
  (Imagination gives us possibilities and brainstorms.  Futurlogics Imagination
  Cycle generates the Imaginary Mode to produce the Imaginary Future
  or solution.  These are positive extensions or extrapolations and unusual
  associations.   Perhaps thought production that generate ideas for the sake of
  ideas.)
  
  Forth conduct a "What IF?" session next and extend logically.  
  
  (Assumptions gives us movement (food for thought) and continuity in the face
  of the unknown; in other words at the frontiers.  Futurlogics Assumptive Cycle
  generates the Assumptive Mode to produce the Artificial Future or solution.
  These are "What If" extensions or extrapolations and Imaginative associations.
  This is where experiments and risks are suspended to see what really will
  happen.  Proofs can be generated by assuming certain things are true for the
  sake of continuing the research.  This is essentially a "dry lab" of the
  creative mode. Here is where the hypothesizing takes place. In Covey's terms
  this is the first creation)
  
  Fifth see what you can make happen or deliberately create now.  That is provide
  a conducive environment to free thought of a constructive nature.
  
  (Planning and Preparation leverages the making or designing of the future.
  Futurlogics Creative Cycle generates the Creative Mode to produce the Synthetic
  Future or solution.   This is Synthesis not Analysis.  Here is where  ideas 
  are reafied. In Covey's terms this is the second creation)
  
  Where is IT all going?  Now envision the probable direction the discussion
  and discoveries will take this Session.  This part may be unique to Futurlogics.
  
  (Predicting and Prospective thinking uses 'where it all going' to go farther.
  Futurlogics Prospective Cycle generates the Prospective mode to produce the
  Paradigm Future or solution.   This is the nurture of the abstract ideas to
  see ahead.  This is Visioning .  This is where the ideas are projected up the
  timeline.  The strong vision will be of great use in the "Seven Habits")
  
  The Paradigm Mode should reveal a "Paradigm Shift" as Thomas S. Kuhn who gave
  us the concept of Paragigm Shift as a catalyst of revolutionary  change.
  If you do not detect any transforming newness that is creative or at least
  innovative, then repeat cycle/modes streaming from beginning until there is
  detected at least a mild "paradigm shift".  It really does not matter which of
  the FUTURE(s) have definite shift or a force to obsolete old knowledge.
  
      At This stage of the Session as many as Six Futures are generated from the
      cycles and modes of Futurlogics.  Now we examine the futures to see the
      impact the newly generated ideas have on the six streams of thought.
      The defining streams in future terms cause a GENERALIZATION and/or
      ABSTRACTION of the streams which aids in synthesis of the streams to
      two streams.
  
  This impact synthesis level could be called VISIONING of FUTURES as MODELS.
  One should be on the verge of both a private and a public synergy at this point.
  
  TIMELINE CONNECTED:
  
  We try to merge the Absolute Future, Natural Future, Paradigm Future to the 
  Vision of the new knowledge.
  
  LEVELS OF INTELLIGENCE CONNECTED:
  
  We try to merge the Imaginary Future, Artificial Future, Synthetic Futures to 
  the Vision of the new knowledge.
  
  DMP central action principle of VISIONING.  Remember DMP is cycle free,
  mode free  thinking.  Now a free forum discussion is appropriate such as a
  Delphi Conference.  (DMP is short for holistic thinking with insight and
  intuition fueling the synergy)
  
  This is a mode free thinking area to generate a VISION of where it is 'all'
  going.
  
  (MODAL Thinking is a method of thinking that ignors the other methods and is
  very focused in using this method exclusively.  It is deductive reasoning)
  
  (MODEL Thinking is a method of thinking that synthesizes the other methods
  into its method.  It is characterized by much unlearning as new things are
  introduced. and is very open to using this method inclusively. It is 
  inductive reasoning.)
  
  This method can re-loop through in multiple cycles to produce the expanding 
  spiral of thought that is the Futurlogics method/principle or in the
  Habit 7 of Coveys habit methods.
  
  Summary:
  
  Futurlogics is organically originated from natural thinking algorithms and is
  not "Group Think" originated.
  
  Futurlogics is "Personal Think".
     Once learned it is automatically self enhanced and it comes from the Self
     Teaching Principle.  It is the basis of all self-reliance.
  
  "Group think" as in some popular thinking systems is not organic but artificial.
     Once learned it is minimally usable as a metacognition technique and
     requires constant training and is enhance by group practice.  It is the
     result of responding to persons of great authority or credentials.  The
     do more than jump start your thinking but do your thinking for you.
  
  Stephen R. Coveys "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" can uses the above
  session as the tool to sharpen all the tools in his habit paradigm.  I 
  personally favor Futurlogics as it is my 'baby.'  And I believe on it's 
  effectiveness, if put in practice.  Yes you need this WHET STONE to sharpen 
  your saw.  In these days of turbulent times the following scripture needs 
  review.
  
                                      Numbers 11:29
            29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God
            that all the LORD'S people were prophets, [and] that the LORD
            would put his spirit upon them!
  
  Afterthoughts:
  
  ( There is a time to think and there is time to do otherwise.  "Covey's Pause" 
  or Futurlogics' "Waiting" which is the 'creative and clarifying pause'; or,
  first seek to understand and then to be understood.)
  
  (Training the mind to capture and preserve first impressions can be very
  useful to creativity, insight, intuition.  First Impressions, if not
  protected can be mutated by thinking that does not respect DMP of
  FUTURLOGICS. )
  
  
  last updated October 30,2005   
  last updated May 15,2006   
  last updated Aug 2011 removed broken link  
  

FUTURLOGICS key points:

• The study of the future develops advanced thinking methods and models.

• The principles of Prediction, Waiting(Scheduling),Preparation,Planning are improved by Futurlogics and visa versa.

• Models are the product of Inductive logic

• Modals are the product of Deductive logic

• DMP is a dual acronym for (D)irect (M)ind (P)erception and (D)irect (M)ental (P)rocess at once.

• DMP is the product of the compound of Inductive and Deductive logic

• DMP is true parallel thinking or Holistic Thinking.

Here are FUTURLOGICS  parallel thinking modes/models :

1. Retrospective mode ... Absolute future

2. Observational mode ... Natural future

3. Imaginary mode ... Imaginary future

4. Assumptive mode ... Artificial future

5. Creative mode ... Synthetic future

6. Model mode ... Paradigm future

Spectrum of FUTURLOGICS  parallel thinking modes/models :

• Ignorance ... Unbelief ... Prejudice ... Denial ... Blackness

• Retrospective mode ... Absolute future  ... Red  earth  history and tradition

• Observational mode ... Natural future  ... Yellow physics of our sun and its  science

• Imaginary mode ... Imaginary future ... Blue sky and free thought  of imagination

• Assumptive mode ... Artificial future ... Orange choice, risk, subconscious gambling, passions

• Creative mode ... Synthetic future ...  Green synthesis of the leaf of the tree of creation

• Model mode ... Paradigm future  ... Violet  integration of modal and model thought projection of the future

• FUTURLOGICS ... Rainbow Spectrum  ...   a system to organize the spectrums of thought

• DMP  ... White light of intelligence and intuition

Man is the final unit of measure and is the fractile of the Universe.

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