By Scarlett M. Barger
scarlett@newsroom.byu.edu
To several BYU employees, the number seven represents several important ways to improve themselves and their relationships.
Forming positive habits and identifying personal goals are two of the points emphasized in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People seminar that began Wednesday, Nov. 29, said Kevin Miller, professional development manager.
The seminar is being presented by the BYU human resource department and will continue December 6 and December 13, he said.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People workshop is just one of the 49 seminars offered by the Human Resource Department, Miller said.
Other seminars include 'What Matters Most,' 'Effective Listening,' and 'Managing Stress,' he said. Faculty members must pay a fee to attend each workshop, he said.
Jay Christofferson, program chair of construction management, said he attended the Seven Habits seminar two years ago.
Christofferson said the seminar really helped him improve his relations with his co-workers.
The only thing he said he would have changed was to have his whole department attend the seminar at the same time. This would have strengthened planning and goal setting among workers, he said.
Brent Barclay, coordinator of leadership education, said BYU also offers Seven Habits workshops for students as well as 'What Matters Most' seminars.
The seminars are offered to any student once a semester and once in the summer, he said.
The next Seven Habits workshop will be February 7, 9, and 10, and will require a fee, Barclay said.
Miller said the Seven Habits workshop means a lot to BYU because Covey was once an organizational behavior professor here. Covey even tested his philosophies at BYU, Miller said.
Covey published the book in 1987, and since then, has become internationally renowned, Miller said.
Covey's book is successful because he based on 'eternal truths' organized in a way that people can understand, Miller said.
For example, Covey focuses a lot on improving relationships, which is also the ultimate focus of the gospel, Miller said.
Faculty can register for workshops online at byu.edu/hr/hrd.
Students can learn more about workshops at 378-7176.