Stephen Covey first published The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in 1990 and the teachings have spawned numerous seminars, books and speeches. But, what are the seven habits of highly effective people? They are, in their simplest definition, a set of rules for life and the workplace. All the habits are interrelated and synergistic, yet can exist individually. These guidelines are set to help you achieve a successful professional and personal life – and effectively intertwine the two. They are inspirational and motivating standards for anyone who seeks to live a full, purposeful and good life.
HABIT 1 - BE PROACTIVE
The first habit focuses on being proactive. It encourages you to develop the ability to control your own environment and avoid letting things control you. By learning to be proactive, you have a higher success rate of being able to complete tasks and projects in an efficient and successful manner. Note that the change to become more proactive starts from within, and highly effective people make the decision to improve their lives through the things that they can influence, rather than by simply reacting to external forces.
HABIT 2 – BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
The next habit centers on leadership. Covey advises successful people to begin every project with the end result already identified. That way, all you plan for are the steps needed to achieve that goal. By concentrating on each step, you will learn how to avoid distractions and increase your productivity. This habit will help increase your quality of life as you define your course and work toward a planned destination and goal. The most effective people shape their own future. Instead of letting other people or circumstances determine their destiny, they mentally plan and then physically create their own positive results.
HABIT 3 – PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
Put first things first is a habit that works on personal management, in your personal life and at work. By organizing and implementing activities in line with the goals that you have established, you spend time doing what fits into your personal mission. Therefore, you are able to observe the proper balance between production and building production capacity. Identify the key roles that you take on in life (both professionally and personally) and make time for each one.
HABIT 4 – THINK WIN-WIN
This is what we all strive for – a win-win situation. This habit is the cornerstone of interpersonal leadership. Achievements are often dependent on cooperative efforts with others. If you understand that there is enough for everyone to take part in a project, success follows a cooperative approach and, in theory, everyone wins. You should seek arrangements and relationships that are mutually beneficial. In cases where a “win/win” deal cannot be achieved, accept the fact that agreeing to make “no deal” may be the best alternative. In developing an organizational culture, be sure to reward win/win behavior among employees and avoid inadvertently rewarding win/lose behavior.
HABIT 5 – SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND AND THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD
A mainstay of successful leadership is developing a strong habit of communication. This habit states that you should first seek to understand the other person, and only then try to be understood. This is among the most important principles of interpersonal relationships. Effective listening is not simply echoing what the other person has said through the lens of your own experience. Rather, it is putting yourself in the perspective of the other person, listening empathetically for both feeling and meaning.
HABIT 6 – SYNERGIZE
Synergize is where the whole is greater than the sum, or creative cooperation. It is important to learn how to see good in other people’s contributions. Through trustful communication, you can find ways to leverage individual differences to create a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts. Through mutual trust and understanding, one often can solve conflicts and find a better solution than would have been obtained through either person’s own solution.
HABIT 7 - SHARPEN THE SAW
The key to a successful personal and professional life is through continuous improvement throughout your life. This concept is the center point of the seventh habit. To learn this habit and to apply it successfully to your life, you must first find the proper balance between actually producing and improving your capabilities to produce. Take time out from producing in order to build capacity through personal renewal of the physical, social/emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Maintaining a balance among these dimensions is a key factor.
SUMMARY
The first three habits focus mainly on your personal life, with the last four concentrating on your professional development. Covey says that it is important to understand and develop the personal habits first, before you attempt to improve your professional life. Additionally, before starting any of the habits, you'll need to accomplish what Covey calls a "paradigm shift"--a change in perception and interpretation of how the world works. This change, which affects how you perceive and act regarding productivity, time management, positive thinking, and developing your "proactive muscles" (acting with initiative rather than reacting), are the cornerstone to beginning. This article was only a brief overview, a highlight of each habit. The habits are all very intricate, with step-by-step instructions to help you achieve each one. If you interested in learning more, you'll want to study the book or visit www.stephencovey.com for additional information.