7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

 Introduction

We all want to be succeed. And one path to success is identifying the habits that can help us on your journey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a self-improvement book. It is written on Covey's belief that the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions.

In order to change a given situation, we must change ourselves, and in order to change ourselves, we must be able to change our perceptions.

So in this article. I am  explaining 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that will help really make you a highly effective person.

1. Be Proactive

The first and most fundamental habit of an effective person is to be proactive. More than just taking the initiative, being proactive means taking responsibility for your life.

The clearest manifestation of proactivity can be seen in your ability to stick to the commitments you make to yourself and to others. This includes a commitment to self-improvement and, by extension, personal growth.

By setting small goals and sticking to them, you gradually increase your integrity, which increases your ability to take responsibility for your life.

Covey suggests undertaking a 30-day proactivity test in which you make a series of small commitments and stick to them. Observe how this changes your sense of self.

 

2. Begin with End in Mind

This habit circles around one word, goals. Beginning with the end in mind requires you to use a little imagination.

Look into the future at what you want to do in life, where you want to be. Then, use that vision to plan what you’ll do today to help you get there.

This can refer to your personal life, a project at work, or a relationship. What is your end goal and what can you do to reach it? This habit interlocks with being proactive by encouraging us to make things happen!

Covey suggests building a Personal Mission Statement to help you keep on track. You can write your own, or have help to create one here.

Having a mission statement is something that can help you focus on your goals and what you can do to meet them.

3. Put Things First

This habit when put simply means to prioritize. When you put first things first, you’re taking the time to assess what you have to do, but understanding some things can wait.

You don’t have to overextend yourself. Instead, have to look at what is most important. Although it can be hard, we should be spending most of our time in Quadrant two.

Covey states, “Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.”

By implementing habit three when we can, it allows us to access a more balanced life.

4. Think Win-Win

This habit looks at putting your attention less on competition and more on collaboration. Thinking win-win seeks not only mutual benefit for both people but also a solution.

This habit, like the others, can be used in a work setting or in a personal relationship. When you take the time to look at what benefits both parties, it shows respect, maturity, integrity, and confidence. Thinking this way can positively affect your character and improve relationships.

According to Covey, “In the long run, if it isn’t a win for both of us, we both lose. That’s why win-win is the only real alternative in interdependent realities.”

 

5. Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood

Communication specifically listening, is the basis for this habit. So many times when people are speaking, telling a story, explaining directions, we have the sudden urge to jump in with our thoughts.

What’s so bad about that? By doing this, we don’t always give ourselves the chance to connect with the other person and you may miss their point entirely.

 

When we communicate, most times we listen with the intent to reply, not to understand. When you change this way of thinking, you may realize your entire response changes. Doing this is another great way to work on understanding someone on a deeper level and improving the relationship.

6. Synergy

Synergy refers to teamwork. Covey describes synergy, a word he coined, as “not the same as compromise. In a compromise, one plus one equals one and a half at best.”

When people experience synergy, they are taking the time to truly accept the other person’s differences. You then use that understanding to feed off of each other and gain new insight into your situation.

Synergyzing offers a way to problem solve by being open-minded. According to Covey, there are ways you will know you have experienced synergy. If you:

1.     Have a change of heart.

2.     Feel new energy and excitement.

 

7. Sharpen the Saw

This final habit focuses on the most important thing you have, you. When you ‘sharpen the saw’, you are taking the time you need for self-renewal.

Taking care of yourself is extremely important when it comes to keeping a balanced life. So many times we are ‘too busy’ to make time for what we may need.

Unfortunately, thinking this way can easily cause us to get burnt out. If we aren’t at our best, we’re limiting ourselves from the growth and goals we spend all this time trying to reach.

Sharpening the saw is what keeps the rest of the six habits together. When our body and mind are empowered, we have no limits.

I hope these 7 Habits of Highly Effective People will inspire and encourage you to focus on positive personal changes.