Daily Habits of an Effective Leader

Rebeccas Journal
Friday, November 21, 2014:
7:00 am. Wake up early so that I have plenty of time to get ready for class. Rushing is stressful and
hectic so taking measures to eliminate such/any stress allows for better focus and functioning.
7:15 am. Read Jesus Calling and the accompanying Bible verses. Not only is this a calm, hopeful, and
happy time, but it starts my day off right. Doing this daily creates a routine and having a plan is
always beneficial for leaders because it gives them direction, a goal, and stability.
7:20 am. Check email. Sometimes professors answer emails late at night and it courteous to give
them a timely response as well. In general, being up-to-date and having all the facts with the
situations you are in helps you make important decisions.
7:30 am. A suitemate has stayed up all night finishing a paper. It is important to express concern
for others and hold them accountable. One of the most important concepts of leadership is
effective communication and collaboration with others. Caring for the group of people you are
leading (and caring for others, in general) allows the individual and the group to function better. By
giving people self-worth,
7:35 am. Do core. Doing something little every day for many days can bring about great change.
(This is the point of our assignment.)
7:40 am. Eat a healthy breakfast. It is important to be fueled for the day. As a student, you need
energy to pay attention in class. Like the Mini-Wheats slogan Keeps em full, keeps em focused.
7:55 am. Arrive to class early. My dad always says If youre early, youre on time. If youre on time,
youre late. If youre late, youre forgotten.
8:00 am. World Music Survey. Follow instructions. In class we are making shadow puppets, and it is
important that I read through the directions and listened to Dr. Armstrong. Part of being a leader is
knowing who and what to follow.
9:10 am. Becoming American. Turn in paper on time.
10:20 am. FYS: What the Bible Really Says. Study. Review. Practice. All of these are synonyms for
reflecting on the past in order to be prepared for the future.
11:30 am. Calculus II. Take notes. Ask questions. Answer questions.

12:30 pm. Lunch. Eat healthy. Have proper etiquette. Be observant. Lunch is a good time to peoplewatch and make a list of both positive and negative traits, attitudes, and actions that you want to
implement or avoid.
2:00 pm. Be prepared. This makes me think of the song from The Lion King, but being ready for
everything and anything is nevertheless important. I knew I was leaving campus right after
practice, so I gathered my homework and clothes for the weekend so I could leave as soon as
possible. This is the equivalent of chopping your vegetables in the morning so when you come home
from work, you are ready to cook.
This also reminds us that efficiency and time management are also incredibly helpful. Everyone
is given twenty four hours in a day, and what one does in those hours can determine how successful
they are.
3:00 pm. Do work. Homework, that is. When something is expected of you, it is imperative that you
complete itto your best effort.
4:00 pm. Practice. Here is a list of important habits and values practice teaches you: Dedication.
Doing your best. Completion. Getting into a routine. Having others to hold you accountable. Having
a mentor. Striving to be like that mentor. Working hard.
6:00 pm. Driving home. Be alert. Be defensive. Be smart. Know where you are going. Have a plan.
Make decisions quickly. Leaders use these traits to be flexible and to guide their team as changes
arise.
6:30 pm. Family dinner. Everyone has values, and it is important, as a leader, to keep ones values
and make time for what is important. This gives you a base and a specific direction for
accomplishing goals.

The number one daily habit of an effective leader:

Think positively and optimistically. No one wants to be led by an unhappy leader. This is why on
course evaluations students are asked if the professorthe leader of the classis enthusiastic
about the topic.
Philippians 4:8 says And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what
is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are
excellent and worthy of praise.
While this does not have to do directly with interacting with and influencing others, in order to
influence others, you must be able to influence yourself and hold yourself to a certain standard. My
standard is one of positivity. To make a change is to make a change for the better, and thinking of
things lovely and right and admirable will certainly guide one in the right direction, towards their
goals.