The True Meaning Of Independence

Covey created a chart called the Maturity Continuum. In this chart you will find that those who have not worked in developing the first three habits of effectiveness are dependent individuals. Not only do they expect things to be given to them, they at times, also expect others to make decision for them, however regretting being under control of others. Other times they make decisions, but regret paying the consequences of their choices. They hope that somehow they can be bailed out. You know this crowd; they want the quick fix pill, so they can move on doing what they want to do. These are the promiscuous people that do not want to get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease. These are the overweight older people who call their health problems adult onset or age disease. You get the picture. They want to play with fire, but not get burnt. These are the people who are ready to fight and insult anyone when they feel accosted or even think they will be.

True independence would be the opposite. It is based on an understanding of how your choices affect you and other people. It is an understanding that your contribution or lack of it and whether positive or negative will have long lasting effects. Those who master the first three habits do things without them having to be told. They have initiative. They think things through before taking action. They strive to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. They anticipate a need and take care of it then, before the need arises. They anticipate a problem and develop contingency plans before the problem arises.

We tend to admire people like this. However, a person that achieves true independence may not be able to work for others and with others. True independence is not the end of the continuum; it is interdependence. Independent people can be pioneers, cavaliers, or do it yourselfers. But, without the private victory of independence, the public victory of interdependence cannot be achieved. Also, abandoning the habits of private victory, once public victory is achieved, will end up in public disgrace.