Habit 4: Think Win/Win Part 2

    In this blog post, I want to focus on the importance of the Win/Win mentality. In the second portion of Habit 4, Covey highlights the importance of developing a Win/Win mindset within personal and professional environments. There are 5 dimensions to Win/Win, character, relationships, agreements, support systems, and processes. Covey says, "Character is the foundation of Win/Win, and everything else builds on that foundation," (p. 353), implying the importance of beginning with character. A well-developed character fit for Win/Win involves integrity and maturity. The Win/Win paradigm requires a lot of agreements and compromise, which can be very difficult without maturity and integrity. 

    Healthy relationships are built on trust and respect. If you want a relationship to last you must start with strong foundations because all relationships face challenges. When confronting an issue it is important to discuss in a mature manner, listen to one another, understand, and you must be willing to compromise.  Without these practices, a relationship is bound to fall. The Win/Win strategy encourages both parties to want what is best for the other, pushing each side to understand the other.

(Not my image)

    This afternoon, my little brother (9 years old) and I got into a small fight. He had just gotten home from school and asked me to go out and buy food for him. I said no. I didn't say no because I didn't want to, I just had a lot of assignments to finish and I was stressed out. I felt like I had  no time to do anything else. I told him eat what we had, or he could wait until our parents got home from work, which was only an hour after he got home. 

    Practicing the Win/Win Reflection Exercise, I realize we could have compromised instead of arguing. At the time I was extremely stressed and couldn't handle doing anything else. But maybe a quick break from my computer like grabbing food with my little brother would have been good. Additionally, he could have waited a few minutes and asked again instead of automatically complaining. If we had just talked nicely we could have gotten the food he wanted and I could have taken a well-needed break from my schoolwork.  

    Today, we went out to get pizza. I explained to him the Win/Win mindset I have been practicing, and although he couldn't fully grasp what I was talking about he still listened, just happy he got his pizza. Going forward, I am excited to implement the Win/Win mindset in my life. Especially as I go on living alone next year I want to better my outlook on things. 

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