The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Ever wondered why some people seem to have a great life, go about it with ease, managing people well and get along with everyone? Stephen Covey’s ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ are summarised here for everyone who wants to be highly effective in their life!
1) Be Proactive
As human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. We have the independent will to make our own choices and decisions, and the ability to respond and make choices. You have the freedom to choose your own fate and path, so having the independent will, imagination and self-awareness to make the right move makes you a proactive, and not a reactive, person.
2) Begin With The End In Mind
Mental visualisation or ‘seeing it in your mind’ is extremely important. Covey says that all things are created twice: first, the mental conceptualisation and visualisation and a second physical, actual creation. Becoming your own creator means to plan and visualise what you’re going to do and what you’re setting out to accomplish and then go out and create it.
3) Put First Things First
With your power of independent will, you can create the ending you want to have. Part of that comes with effective time management and starting with matters of importance. Then tasks should be completed based on urgency after you deal with all the important matters. If you deal with crises, pressing problems and deadline-driven projects first, your life will be a lot easier.
4) Think Win/Win
If you believe in a better way to accomplish goals that’s mutually beneficial to all sides, that’s a win/win situation. “All parties feel good about the decision and feel committed to the action plan,” Covey wrote. “One person’s success is not achieved at the expense or exclusion of the success of others.” There’s no reason win/win situations can’t happen all the time”.
5) Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood
If you’re a good listener and you take the time to understand, it will help you convey your opinions, plans and goals to others. It starts with communication and strong listening skills, followed by diagnosing the situation and then communicating your solution to others.
6) Synergise
Synergistic communication, according to Covey, is “opening your mind and heart to new possibilities, new alternatives, new options.” It’s all about building cooperation and trust.
7) Sharpen The Saw
Sometimes you’re working so hard on the other six habits that you forget about re-energising and renewing yourself to sharpen yourself for the tasks in front of you. Some sharpening techniques include exercise and nutrition, reading, planning and writing, service and empathy and commitment, study and meditation.