The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a great book that has taught people of all ages and occupations about being more efficient and a better person overall. It has transformed the lives of Presidents, CEOs, doctors, teachers, parents, and many more people. Dr. Covey talks about 7 key principles that everyone can use to better their lives, and the people around them. Considered one of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25+ years.
Be Proactive: Being proactive means to create or control a situation by causing it to happen, rather than reacting to it, after the damage has been done. So, you can create new possibilities and control problems, rather than letting it control you.
Begin with the End in Mind: To begin with the end in mind means to understand your end goal, and all the steps that you take should eventually lead to the final goal. This way, you are not wasting any of your time on things that won’t help you at the end.
Put First Things First: To put first things first means to prioritize your tasks so you get things done effectively, and in the right order of importance.
Think Win/Win: Humans interact with people on a daily basis, and we negotiate a lot too. It’s important to know when to give up something, and when to take an opportunity. The “Win/Win” habit means to make sure that you and the person you and the person you are negotiating with gets an equal deal.
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood: Let us use an example to understand this habit. If you and your friends are arguing about something, and you think that what they are saying is completely unreasonable, you should at least try to listen to them. This way, you get a reputation as a thoughtful, empathetic person, and you might also learn something from them.
Synergize: To synergize means to find a working partner that is a good fit for you, and use your combined talent to produce a more positive output, for either your school or your company.
Sharpen the Saw: Have you ever heard the phrase “Practice Makes Perfect”? Well, Sharpen the Saw is similar to that. With repeated practice, you will be able to incorporate all these habits into your daily life.
In my opinion, one of the most effective habits is “Put First Things First.” Basically what this habit is about, is writing down all the work you have for the day, and then choosing the tasks that you think are most important. This way, you can prioritize what has to be done, and you’ll get the most important work done first. For more effective lessons such as this one, you should definitely read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and your life will change in the most positive way possible.
“There are very few business books that are essential reading for anyone who wants to make a difference. This is one of the great ones.” - Seth Godin, author of The Icarus Deception