The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Key Insights:
Habit #1: Be Proactive!
Response-ability. We have the ability to choose our response and proactive people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances or conditions for their behavior.
Proactive people focus their time and energy on things they can control (circle of influence) vs reacting to or worrying about things out of their control (circle of concern).
Honor your commitments! The commitments we make to ourselves and others is the clearest manifestation of our proactivity.
Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind!
We spend our life planning out activities and projects and so why don’t we do that with our lives. Instead of planning a vacation or escape from reality, plan a life that you truly enjoy every day where don’t have a life we want to escape from. Get clear on our highest end goals and align your day to day activities with these goals in mind. Real success is success with self, its not about having things but having mastery and victory over self!
Habit #3: Put First Things First!
How do you spend your days? Do you waste your time and energy doing stuff that simply isn’t that important? Identify the things that are the most important in your life and do them first.
Understand what your highest priorities are and have the courage to pleasantly, unapologetically say no to things that don’t fit within those priorities. It’s ok to say no to things when you have a bigger yes burning inside. "The enemy of the best is often the good"
Think efficiency when dealing with time, think effectiveness when dealing with people.
Habit #4: Think Win/Win!
When entering a relationship with anyone in life (business or personal) think win/win. Come to an agreement on how both sides of the party can benefit. Don’t think about succeeding in terms of other people failing. Be happy for others’ success!
Habit #5: Seek First to Understand!
Slow down and see things from the other person's perspective. Listen with the intent to understand vs to just reply or preparing to speak.
We all have emotional bank accounts and we need to focus on making more deposits than withdrawals. Making deposits into a person can help build a meaningful long-lasting relationship.
Habit #6: Synergy!
Synergy is everywhere in nature. If you plant two plants close together, the roots commingle and improve the quality of the soil so that both plants will grow better than if they were separated.
Seek out viewpoints from those that think differently than you. Show courage and discuss all points of view.
Habit #7: Sharpen the Saw!
Have a balanced systematic program for self-renewal in the 4 areas of your life:
Physical: To live
Social / Emotional: To love
Mental: To learn
Spiritual: To leave a legacy
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