The 8th Habit: Blending voices--searching for the third alternative

Teach Others
Chapter 10* expands on Habit 4: Think Win-Win by detailing how a thrid alternative is helpful in modeling to inspire others to find their voice. The chapter also details the intersects with Habits 5 & 6 and the importance of listening. The listening continuum is presented:
Within one's own frame of reference:
1. Ignoring
2. Pretend listening (patronizing)
3. Selective listening
4. Attentive listening
Within the other's frame of reference:
5. Empathic listening

When taken a step further to decision-making, these help to move from a transactional to transformational solution.

Report Results
I've tried the two steps to achieving synergy (Would you be willing to search for a solution that is better than what either one of us have proposed? Would you agree to a simple ground rule: No one can make his or her point until they have restated the other person's point to his or her satisfaction?) presented, and they are very helpful in reaching a third alternative.

*from Stephen Covey's The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness as part of the 8th Habit Challenge

The 8th Habit: The voice and speed of trust

Teach Others
Chapter 9* is about building trust and the moral authority that comes with trust. Sometimes there may be sacrifices required to make "trust deposits" into the Emotional Bank Accounts of others. There is a great table showing various deposits and withdrawals on p. 165.


Report Results
I've reflected on the statement "trust becomes a verb when you communicate to others their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves" (p. 181) and have tried to live that for the past month.

*from Stephen Covey's The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness as part of the 8th Habit Challenge

Joke of the Day: Night before finals

'Twas the Night Before Finals
and all through the college,
the students were all praying,
for that last minute knowledge

Most were quite sleepy,
but none touched their beds.
While visions of essays,
danced in their heads.

Out in the Taverns,
a few were still drinking.
And hoping that liquor
would loosen their thinking.

In my own apartment,
I had been pacing.
And dreading exams
that I would be facing.

My roomate was speechless,
His nose in the books.
And my comments to him,
drew unfriendly looks.

I drained all the coffee,
And brewed a new pot.
No longer caring,
that my nerves were all shot.

I stared at my notes,
but my thoughts were all muddy.
My eyes were a blur,
And I just couldn't study.

"Some pizza might help",
I said with a shiver.
But each place I called,
refused to deliver.

I'd nearly concluded
that life was too cruel
with futures depending
on grades had in school.

When all of a sudden,
our door opened wide.
And Patron Saint Put Off
Ambled inside.

His spirit was careless,
His manner was mellow.
He flopped on the couch
and started to bellow:

"What kind of student
would make such a fuss,
to toss back at teachers
what they tossed at us?"

"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes!
On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit
and Last Minute Crams!"

His message delivered
he vanished from sight,
but we still heard him laughing
outside in the night.

Your teachers have pegged you,
So just do your best.
Happy Finals to ALL,
And to all a good test.

Joke of the Day: 12 real days of Christmas

Click here for the REAL Version of the Christamas Song...

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December 14th

Dearest John:

I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a delightful gift. I couldn't have been more surprised.

With dearest love and affection, Agnes

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December 15th

Dearest John:

Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtle doves.... I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.

All my love, Agnes

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December 16th

Dear John:

Oh, aren't you the extravagant one! Now I must protest. I don't deserve such generosity. Three french hens. They are just darling but I must insist.... you're just too kind.

Love Agnes

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December 17th

Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really! They are beautiful, but don't you think enough is enough? You're being too romantic.

Affectionately, Agnes

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December 18th

Dearest John:

What a surprise! Today the postman delivered five golden rings. One for each finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, John, all those squawking birds were beginning to get on my nerves.

All my love, Agnes

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December 19th

Dear John:

When I opened the door there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket. PLEASE STOP!

Cordially, Agnes

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December 20th

John:

What's with you and those birds???? Seven swans a-swimming. What kind of goddam joke is this? There's bird shit all over the house and they never stop the racket. I'm a nervous wreck and I can't sleep all night. IT'S NOT FUNNY.......So stop with those birds.

Sincerely, Agnes

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December 21st

OK Buster:

I think I prefer the birds. What the hell am I going to do with eight maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids a-milking, but they had to bring their own goddam cows. Just lay off me.

Ag

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December 22nd

What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there's nine pipers piping. And Christ - do they pipe. They never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are upset are stepping all over those screeching birds. No wonder they screeh. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petetion to evict me. You'll get yours.

From Ag

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December 23rd

You Rotten Prick:

Now there's ten ladies dancing - I don't know why I call those sluts ladies. They've been with those nine pipers all night long. Now the cows can't sleep and they've got diarrhea. The commisioner of buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn't be condemned. I'm sicking the police on you.

One who means it, Ag

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December 24th

Listen:

What's with the eleven lords a-leaping on those maids and aforementioned "ladies"? Some of those broads will never walk again. Those pipers ran through the maids and have been commiting sodomy with the cows. All 234 of the birds are dead. They have been trampled to death in the orgy. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten swine.

Your sworn enemy, Miss Agnes McCallister

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December 25th (From the law offices Taeker, Spredar, and Baegar)

Dear Sir:

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of tweleve drummers drumming, which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McCallister. The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss McCallister at Happy-Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest.

Taeker, Spredar, and Baegar
Attorneys at Law

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Photo © Disney

Here is our free "family portrait" from Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party we attended at the Magic Kingdom. The Christmas parade (there are a couple of photos in my album) and Holiday Wishes - Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks were fantastic!

The place was packed - we had to stand during Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas show (Mike did not like it anyway). We also didn't brave the crowds to get our cocoa & cookies.

Joke of the Day: Martha's holiday to-do list

December 1
Blanch carcass from Thanksgiving turkey. Spray paint gold, turn upside down and use as a sleigh to hold Christmas cards.

December 2
Have Mormon Tabernacle Choir record outgoing Christmas message for answering machine.

December 3
Using candlewick and hand-gilded miniature pine cones, fashion a cat-o-nine-tails. Flog gardener.

December 4
Repaint Sistine Chapel ceiling in ecru, with mocha trim.

December 5
Get new eyeglasses. Grind lenses myself.

December 6
Fax family Christmas newsletter to Pulitzer committee for consideration.

December 7
Debug Windows XP

December 10
Align carpets to adjust for curvature of Earth.

December 11
Lay Faberge egg.

December 12
Take dog apart. Disinfect. Reassemble.

December 13
Collect dentures. They make excellent pastry cutters, particularly for decorative pie crusts.

December 14
Install plumbing in gingerbread house.

December 15
Replace air in mini-van tires with Glade "Holiday Scents" in case tires are shot out at the mall.

December 17
Child proof the Christmas tree with garland of razor wire.

December 19
Adjust legs of chairs so each Christmas dinner guest will be the same height when sitting at his or her assigned seat.

December 20
Dip sheep and cows in egg whites and roll in confectioner's sugar to add a festive sparkle to the pasture.

December 21
Drain city reservoir; refill with mulled cider, orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

December 22
Float votive candles in toilet tank.

December 23
Seed clouds for white Christmas.

December 24
Do my annual good deed. Go to several stores. Be seen engaged in last minute Christmas shopping, thus making many people feel less inadequate than they really are.

December 25
Bear son. Swaddle. Lay in color-coordinated manger scented with homemade potpourri.

December 26
Organize spice racks by genus and phylum.

December 27
Build snowman in exact likeness of God.

December 31
New Year's Eve! Give staff their resolutions. Call a friend in each time zone of the world as the clock strikes midnight in that country.