Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a great resource for those addicted to shoplifting. Remember, you are not a shoplifter. You are a person addicted to shoplifting. This post shows how Covey’s 7 habits apply to you.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is a self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey. The book outlines seven habits that successful people exhibit in their personal and professional lives. Here are the seven habits and how each habit could help a person addicted to shoplifting stop:
- Be proactive – Being proactive means taking responsibility for one’s own actions and making choices based on values and principles. A person addicted to shoplifting can use this habit to take responsibility for their actions and make the choice to stop shoplifting. They can proactively seek help, such as counseling or therapy, to address the underlying issues that may be driving their addiction.
- Begin with the end in mind – This habit encourages individuals to visualize their goals and create a plan to achieve them. A person addicted to shoplifting can use this habit to identify their long-term goal of ending their addiction and create a plan to achieve it. For example, they could set a goal of going a certain number of days without shoplifting, and then gradually increase the length of time until they no longer have the urge to shoplift.
- Put first things first – This habit involves prioritizing tasks based on their importance and urgency. A person addicted to shoplifting can use this habit to prioritize their recovery efforts. They can identify the most critical steps they need to take to overcome their addiction, such as seeking professional help or avoiding triggers that lead to shoplifting.
- Think win-win – This habit encourages individuals to seek mutually beneficial outcomes in all their interactions. A person addicted to shoplifting can use this habit to seek win-win solutions to their addiction. For example, they could find ways to channel their impulse to shoplift into positive activities, such as volunteering or helping others.
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood – This habit emphasizes the importance of listening to others and seeking to understand their perspective before sharing your own. A person addicted to shoplifting can use this habit to seek understanding from loved ones or professionals who can help them overcome their addiction. By understanding the underlying reasons behind their addiction, they can develop a plan that addresses those root causes.
- Synergize – This habit involves working collaboratively with others to achieve common goals. A person addicted to shoplifting can use this habit to seek support from loved ones or a support group to help them overcome their addiction. By working with others who have overcome similar challenges, they can learn from their experiences and gain new insights.
- Sharpen the saw – This habit emphasizes the importance of self-care and continuous personal development. A person addicted to shoplifting can use this habit to focus on improving their mental and emotional well-being. This could include engaging in activities that promote self-reflection, such as meditation or journaling, or seeking professional help to address any underlying mental health issues.
Sources:
- Covey, S. R. (2004). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Simon and Schuster.
- American Psychological Association. (2022). Understanding and addressing shoplifting addiction. https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/shoplifting-addiction
- Psychology Today. (2022). How to overcome shoplifting addiction. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-recovery-coach/201805/how-overcome-shoplifting-addiction