Being a teacher, its very easy for me to conduct classes, but to facilitate 32 adults was a very different experience. All of them were acquaintances to each other, but as we started sharing, the journey seemed to flow well. It had become like a family. I believe that “Nature gives you only that task, for which you are competent”. So having faith in this, I started my journey and took charge. It gave me a new perspective in life. Gradually, as the reflection of every habit was being shared, I realized that I can make a difference in somebody’s life and this made me feel more motivated and more dedicated towards the task given to me. I am not an avid reader, but honestly, as this opportunity came my way; it made me cultivate a habit of reading. This is the best thing that happened to me because as wise people say “A book is man’s best friend”. This simple sentence has a lot of depth to it. It conveys that if one cultivates reading in her/his life, he/she will never be lonely.Therefore, I realize that by being a facilitator I have already made a big investment for my life.

I would like to sum up, by saying that, “All the 7 habits are like swords that can be used in different battles of life.” Everyone has ups and downs in their life. But the skill is, when and how to use these swords of 7 habits effectively.

I acknowledge and appreciate the participants of life class beta for their cooperation and for indirectly contributing to my growth.

 

Nisha Jain

“LIFE CLASSES!!”

“Oh no! Not again…????”

“Arre ….. firse wahi rona dhona and all.”

“I don’t want to attend these classes. Kaise niklenge yeh din??”

But trust me Life classes are much more than that. It is a great platform to learn, unlearn and relearn. I would like to share my learning. As an individual, I, have gained a lot from these classes professionally as well as personally. People have come to me and said that, “You have changed a lot as a person and my answer is it because of FS.”

I am thankful to Stephen R. Covey and Fountainhead School because these classes have helped me in walking on the pathway of life with honesty, fairness, integrity, and dignity- principles that have given me the security to adapt to change.

Here, I would like to pen down my reflection on Facilitating the Life Classes (7-Habits) this year.

I did not even think of facilitating the class, but someone inspired me and I agreed and filled the form to take up the challenge. After filling the form I was still in a dilemma whether I will be able to conduct the classes or not but I went ahead. The day I got confirmation from Mariyam ma’am that, I will be facilitating I was literally thinking where to begin. I recalled the classes which I had attended 3 years ago but it was all blank. Each day was challenging for me, but I realized nothing is impossible. And now I feel contented and satisfied in bringing change in people’s thoughts and their lives.

The first day of Life Class!!

The day I met all the participants I was very happy and excited to know about them and to spend a year with them. They were so courageous, friendly, cool and always ready to share their experiences and perceptions. It felt like a family with them. All of them were ready and open to learn, unlearn and relearn. Listening to each one of them was very difficult for me. Listening to various responses was not easy for me, but these classes have helped me grow and so I could listen to the members empathetically.

Delivering the content to the participants was not easy for me as this was my first hand experience with facilitation. But when I look back the days spent with them, facilitating them and sharing my experiences with them I would like to say that, “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.”  

Last sessions!!

When we reached to the last two sessions I was sad and was thinking are we done with all the sessions. Will miss these days and all of them as we shared our personal and professional life with each other and shared good bond throughout the year. Was thinking that next year we will separate but was happy too as they gained something from the 7-Habits class and will learn more next year as it is said that, “Learning is a lifelong process.”

I would like to thank Vardan Sir and Mariyam ma’am for giving me this opportunity and making me learn through these classes. Also, I would like to thank all the participants for believing in us and sharing their experiences and feelings with us.

 

When I got the call from Mariyam ma’am to facilitate the “7 habits workshop”, my first reaction was…. “Really…me???” But in the next moment I agreed to it. At the same time, I was not sure how the journey would be.

Now when I look back, I really feel amazed and happy to see that ‘YES…. I DID IT…’. For the person who was reluctant to speak in front of even 5-6 persons, standing in front of 30 people and delivering the content is a kind of achievement. But it was not easy. Initially, few nights were nightmares before each session….always thinking about. ’How would it go?’, ’Would I be able to convey the things properly?’…etc. But gradually I overcame that anxiety.

We know that ‘teaching is the best way to learn’. As a participant, I didn’t take pains to read the book ‘7 habits of highly effective people’. But as a facilitator I read it (both English and Gujarati versions) thoroughly which gave me a better understanding of the content. Apart from it, listening to each and every participant’s experiences and their approach towards life also helped to understand my life in a newer light.

As a participant of the workshop (2013-14),I could work on many areas in my life and could implement many things like time management, taking care of mind-body-soul, empathetic listening etc. But I was struggling with few things and the most important is being principle centered.
While reading about various centers in the book and during discussions in the workshop, I introspected a lot to understand my center. And I found that I am not principle-centered for sure as I always tend to end up doing stuff that either please me or others. The reason behind it is I don’t have enough courage to come out of my comfort zone and be ready to get hurt. I am quite vulnerable to criticism. But now I am happy that I could reflect upon it and I am giving my best to work on it.

No doubt it will take time and a lot of courage to live life with complete integrity.

I loved few lines from the personal note given at the end of the book by Stephen Covey and I can relate with them. “I personally struggle with much of what I have shared in this book. But the struggle is worthwhile and fulfilling. It gives meaning to my life and enables me to love, to serve, and to try again.” – Stephen Covey

I am really grateful to Vardan sir and Mariyam ma’am for giving me this opportunity. It was a wonderful experience!

I was really scared when management approached me for taking a  life class on 7 habits. I agreed without thinking much but internally I was worried, then this came to my mind, My wish! yes, my wish….  I always wanted to learn the seven habits once again because I believe reinforcement is important.

I started following Secret which is my funda “Ask, believe and receive” but secret also says be specific for your wish, that I didn’t and it came to me the other way round not for only learning in fact with more than learning that is teaching and learning. I heard this quote- “The best way to learn is to teach” and that I did, it worked with me. I am really blessed that I got this opportunity to pass my knowledge which will help others in becoming the leaders of their life.

While planning and facilitating I gained immense knowledge which really helped me to take vital decisions of my life especially parenting. I started adopting its learning which says the change starts from within- The inside – out, first change yourself, work on maturity continuum from dependent to independent and then interdependent because the world today demands that. I did the same, I cannot control the situations under my circle of concern so I stopped reacting to them. I try to expand my circle of influence by following these guiding principles like fairness, honesty, integrity, human dignity, quality, potential, and growth, keeping in mind empathetic listening and seek for the best third alternative. The major change I brought in myself is fitness, there is always a need for balance between production and production capability applies to physical, financial, and human assets, which made me understand me and my health, I started with a 30 minute daily walk and adopted healthy food habits.

The workshop really inspired me to integrate different responsibilities in my  personal and professional life. It helped me to address the need to restore the character ethic in our society. Gregory J. Newell, U.S. Ambassador to Sweden rightly said- Stephen Covey’s deliberate integration of life and principles leads to squaring inner thought and outward behavior, resulting in personal as well as public integrity.

Special thanks to Stephen Covey for the inspiring and enriching book and to Fountainhead school for giving me this opportunity to learn.

 

Chesta Dhingra