Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Hook• Before starting a jigsaw

puzzle, we see a picture of the finished project. Without the picture, it would be incredibly difficult to put the pieces together.

• How is this like life? If we don’t have a picture of where we are going, it’s difficult to get there.

Main Idea

“Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind, means developing a clear picture of where you want to go with your life. It means deciding what your values are and setting goals” (74).

Without a clear picture of where we want to go, it is unlikely that we will arrive at our desired end.

Begin with the End in Mind• Relates to main idea by encouraging

reader to begin with a vision of the desired end.

• Look one year into the future and answer the following: “What have you done with your life over the past year? How do you feel inside? What do you look like? What characteristics do you possess?” (75).

The Crossroads of Life• Relates by explaining it is important to consider

this concept (beginning with end in mind) now.

• “The paths you choose today can shape you forever” (76).

• Examples of critical choices- who to be friends with- intimate relationships- how much effort to put forth in school- whether to take charge, or follow the herd

Personal Mission Statement• Relates to main idea, by explaining how to plan desired “end”. • “A personal mission statement is like a personal credo or motto that states

what your life is about” (81).• Writing a mission statement allows you to focus on what’s really important to

you

Metaphor: “A personal mission statement is like a tree with deep roots. It is stable and it isn’t going anywhere, but it is also alive and continually growing” (83).

Personal Mission Statement • Examples – Page 81 & 82

Watch-Outs

• Relates to main idea, by pointing out three things that might prevent you from achieving your desired “end”.• Negative Labels - Refuse to buy into them. “If you’ve

been falsely labeled, you can live with it. The real danger comes when you start to believe the labels yourself…” (92).• It’s All Over- You feel like you’ve made too many mistakes

and just give up. “It’s never over” (93). • Wrong Wall- Praise from others give us a false sense of

achievement, but inside we know something is wrong. “Is the life I’m living leading me in the right direction?” (93).

Go for the Goal • To achieving your desired “end”, set goals.Tips for setting goals.• Key 1: Count the cost. Is it worth the work?

“Counting the cost will always add a touch of realism to your goals” (95).

• Key 2: Put it in pen. “There is something magical about writing down your goals.”

• Key 3: Use Momentous Moments. Give yourself a boost by leveraging meaningful moments. “Things with starts and finishes, beginnings or ends carry momentum” (97).

• Key 4: Rope Up. Ban with other people who share the same goal. Metaphor of people climbing together.

Make your life extraordinary• Conclusion• Restate main idea: “Martin Luther King’s mission was to

ensure civil rights for all people. Ghandi’s mission was to liberate 300 million Indians” (103).

• End with kicker:Dead Poet’s Society story • “Car-pe. Car-pe. Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys! Make your

lives extraordinary” (103).

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind