In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. dive into Stephen R. Covey’s third habit: Put First Things First. This principle moves beyond good intentions and asks the real question: are you spending time on what truly matters—or just reacting to the urgent?💡 Key Ideas Covered:1️⃣ The Urgent vs. Important MatrixCovey’s Time Management Matrix reveals how much of life gets eaten by urgent but unimportant tasks. Champions live in Quadrant II—focusing on what’s truly important but not yet urgent.2️⃣ Saying “No” to the Wrong YesPrioritizing means learning to disappoint the right things so you can focus on the right priorities. Willie and Jon share personal stories of saying no in order to say yes to their true mission.3️⃣ Why Busy ≠ ProductiveThe danger of mistaking activity for achievement. Productivity is about progress on the right goals, not filling your schedule with endless tasks.4️⃣ Practical Tools for Putting First Things FirstTime-blocking your big rocks first.Weekly reviews to realign with your values.Protecting “champion time” for family, health, and vision.🎤 Why It Hits Different:This isn’t just another productivity hack—it’s a shift in how you see your life. Putting first things first means leading yourself with clarity instead of letting life’s noise lead you.🏁 Final Takeaway:Champions don’t let urgency steal importance. They focus on what lasts, what matters, and what builds the legacy they want to leave.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for more conversations that take timeless books and turn them into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #7Habits #FirstThingsFirst #StephenRCovey #Leadership #TimeManagement #ProductivityWithPurpose

In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. dive into Habit 5 from Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.Too often, we jump into conversations ready to argue our point or defend ourselves. But Covey reminds us that true influence, leadership, and connection don’t come from talking—they come from listening with empathy.💡 Key Ideas Covered:👂 Listening with Empathy, Not Just EarsMost people listen with the intent to reply. Champions listen with the intent to understand. That shift changes the entire dynamic of relationships.💬 You Can’t Influence Without First UnderstandingCovey teaches that when people feel heard, they naturally open up to your perspective. Understanding builds trust—trust creates influence.⚡ Why We Fail at ListeningFrom distractions to ego to impatience, most people struggle with giving others their full attention. Jon and Willie share personal stories of when they failed to listen—and what they learned from it.🛠️ Tools to Practice Habit 5Pause before responding.Repeat back what you hear in your own words.Ask clarifying questions instead of assuming.Focus on their perspective, not your rebuttal.🎤 Why It Hits Different:This habit isn’t just for leaders—it’s for parents, partners, coaches, and friends. Seeking first to understand transforms every conversation, every relationship, and every outcome.🏁 Final Takeaway:Champions don’t rush to be heard—they earn the right to be heard by first listening deeply. Seek understanding, and influence follows.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for more conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #7Habits #SeekFirstToUnderstand #StephenRCovey #Leadership #Empathy #ActiveListening

In this raw and reflective episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Ian Stermer put themselves in the hot seat with Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Instead of just reviewing the book, the trio takes a personal approach—sharing which habit is their biggest strength, which one is their biggest weakness, and which habit they think would make the biggest difference for the others on the show.💡 Key Ideas Covered:1️⃣ Our Strength HabitsEach host shares the one habit they feel strongest in—whether it’s proactivity, prioritizing first things first, or sharpening the saw. These stories show where the 7 Habits already play out in their lives and leadership.2️⃣ Our Weakness HabitsWhich habit is hardest to practice consistently? From struggling with “begin with the end in mind” to battling against the pull of urgency over importance, the team gets vulnerable about where they fall short.3️⃣ The Habits We’d Choose for Each OtherIn a fun twist, each host points out which habit they believe would take the other to the next level. Sometimes affirming, sometimes challenging—but always real.4️⃣ Practical Insights for ListenersThe episode highlights how different habits can be strengths for some and weaknesses for others, and how accountability and outside perspective can accelerate growth.🎤 Why It Hits Different:This isn’t theory—it’s personal. By holding up the mirror to themselves and each other, the Champion Reads crew models what growth looks like in action: honest self-reflection, real feedback, and the humility to admit what still needs work.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for conversations that go beyond book reviews and turn bestselling principles into powerful, personal growth journeys.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #7Habits #StephenRCovey #PersonalGrowth #SelfReflection #LeadershipHabits #ChampionCircle