This is my first blog as part of Nebraska Learns 2.0, and is my very first blog ever. I am writing on the presentation on lifelong learning, which I viewed this morning. The assignment is to write about how these habits relate to my life, which habit is the hardest for me, and which habit is the easiest, and why.

The first seven habits of highly successful lifelong learners are routine to me. I have been learning for a long time, and recently began my own business. Since starting my business, I have learned that steps presented in this lesson are critical to success.

If your goal is to earn more money, put it in writing (contract). Be detailed. If someone gave you a dollar, you would have more money, but you have not likely met your goal. This is where being specific comes in. What would you like to earn? By what date?

By beginning with the end in mind (habit 1), you can work backwards to determine how realistic your goals are, and how to tweak your timeline so that your goals are realistic. I attend weekly webinars and regular meetings, and read books on professional development (habits 2, 5, and 6). I lead monthly meetings, where I encourage others to build their businesses (habits 4 and 7). The only way to handle a problem is to face it head on and deal with it (habit 3).

Beginning with the end in mind is definitely the easiest for me. This step is critical in order for everything else to fall into place. By working backwards, it is easy to break tasks into bite-sized pieces, thus making the task more manageable.

The habit not mentioned yet is #7 ½: Play. Being goal-driven, I tend to enjoy doing what it takes to get things done—at home, at work, or with my business. I do block out time for certain leisure activities, but I don’t know that I would classify these activities as play, per se. I recognize the importance of play, and will do some planning to include more of this in my life.