The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Habit 1: Be proactive

“Habit 1 is the key to unlocking all other habits and that’s why it comes first. It says,” I am the captain of my life. I can choose my attitude. I’m responsible for my own happiness or unhappiness. I am in the driver’s seat of my destiny, not just a passenger.”

       No one else is going to get you where you want to go, it’s up to you. Take ownership of your problems, and realize that nobody else is going to solve them for you. The most effective way to handle a problem is to focus on finding a solution. Focusing on things that are out of your control is a waste of time, so focus on what you can control with the final outcome. Some people’s approach to achieving goals is both simple and effective: set your goal and then work backwards from that goal to establish metrics to track and evaluate it. It’s important to have a clearly defined goal that is quantifiable so you can determine if you actually reached it or not. Be humble and take a hard look at what you are doing and how you are doing it. Be completely honest with yourself about what is not working instead of making excuses.

Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind

“Control your own destiny or someone else will”

      The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. It's about connecting again with your own uniqueness and then defining the personal, moral, and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfill yourself. Begin with the End in Mind means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing your proactive muscles to make things happen. It focuses on what you want to be and do. It is your plan for success. It reaffirms who you are, puts your goals in focus, and moves your ideas into the real world. Your mission statement makes you the leader of your own life. You create your own destiny and secure the future you envision.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

“Organize and execute around priorities”

     You have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay. There's no need to overextend yourself. All it takes is realizing that it's all right to say no when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities. Everybody has tasks s/he does not like. Recognizing when these tasks are so important they have become ‘the first thing’ and doing them first is what disciplined people do. But being disciplined is also about not doing tasks when they do not have priority. You should question yourself regularly whether the matter you are turning your attention to is urgent or important, or maybe both. Realize that whenever you say ‘yes’ to one thing, you will no longer have time for something else. Time is the most valuable and least replaceable of all resources.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

“Think win-win or no deal”

     Think Win-Win isn’t about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration. Win-win requires that you be both. It is a balancing act between courage and consideration. To go for win-win, you not only have to be empathic, but you also have to be confident. You not only have to be considerate and sensitive, you also have to be brave. To do that–to achieve that balance between courage and consideration–is the essence of real maturity and is fundamental to win-win. The opportunities over here are as big as all outdoors…and each hour of each day, the task will grow easier, and more satisfying – for all of us.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be understood

“Diagnose before you prescribe.”

       Things are not your problem and yet you immediately associate the problem with your own experiences and before you know you blurt out an advice. Check how you react to people during the next ten times you encounter someone. The reason for this is that the perception others have of you changes when you listen emphatically. Your friends, colleagues, and family will start experiencing you as an open person, and hence will start opening up themselves to you. After you find out how you are currently doing, it is time to decide where you will focus on. You can take one of the four keys of empathetic listening, and every time someone uses the word ‘problem’ or ‘issue’ or ‘can you help me’, this is your cue to implement your new way of listening and reacting.

Habit 6: Synergize

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts (1+1=3)”

        Synergize is the habit of creative cooperation. It is teamwork, open-mindedness, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. But it doesn't just happen on its own. It's a process, and through that process, people bring all their personal experience and expertise to the table. When people begin to interact together genuinely, and they’re open to each other’s influence, they begin to gain new insight. The capability of inventing new approaches is increased exponentially because of differences. We could enlarge the conversation. Draw others in from different professions and cultures. The very tangible set of benefits that would emerge would grow.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Four Dimensions of Self-Renewal: Physical, Mental, Spiritual,  Social/Environmental

       Sharpen The Saw discusses self-renewal, self-care, self-respect and self-improvement. Sharpening The Saw must be balanced across these four 'dimensions'... otherwise an imbalance will be created. We can offset an imbalance for a while, but not long-term. When organizations ignore four-dimensional balance, inefficiencies, defensiveness and lack of synergy ensues creating a loss in productively, customer satisfaction and ultimately profitability. Sharpening The Saw is an ongoing process of personal change -- not something you can binge -- like your favorite TV show. You need to define your own balanced, four-dimensional life to be successful! If you are a leader, I believe part of your role is to help the people who report into you and/or look up to you, explore these dimensions and establish goals for themselves.

Reflection: 7 habits of Highly Effective People

       Be proactive when you are outside with others to show your good personality and make your body more energetic into the athletic activities. Begin with the End in Mind means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing your proactive muscles to make things happen. All it takes is realizing that it's all right to say no when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities. Think Win-Win isn’t about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. Things are not your problem and yet you immediately associate the problem with your own experiences and before you know you blurt out an advice. Synergize is the habit of creative cooperation. Sharpening The Saw must be balanced across these four 'dimensions'... otherwise an imbalance will be created.