7 Habits of Highly Effective People
7 Habits from Highly Effective People by Steven Covey is a widely known book on self improvement that you need to add to your library. Steven emphasizes the importance of choice and being mindful of our perspective. Through shifting our world view, he believes that people can conquer any situation. He gives practical tips on how to be proactive rather than reactive to situations in life.
I was gifted this book by a friend who told me that I already have a few of these qualities already! That warmed my heart, but once I started reading the book, I was able to conceptualize moral beliefs that I have unknowingly adopted. In this book review, I’m giving ya’ll a snap shot of what the book is about so that you get a copy for yourself.
“As human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our own decisions, not our conditions.”
“What we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.”
The 7 Habits:
Be Proactive
Focus on the things that you can do. Leaders choose what they want to make an impact on rather than reacting to external forces.Begin with the End in Mind
Clearly communicate needs and goals early on so that the project does not stray from the plan later on. Ask yourself: Why are you doing this? What will success look like in the end?Put First Things First
Prioritize what is important, not just urgent! To be effective, leaders must have the integrity to act on priorities. Ask: What is the most essential part that people must know?Think Win/Win
Get what you want by giving others what they want. Have an abundance mentality: there is enough success for everyone! Form relationships that are mutually beneficial. If a win/win isn’t possible, sometimes no deal is the best option.Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Focus on empathetic and selective listening before you respond to a situation. Diagnose the issue before you prescribe a solution. The more deeply you understand people, the more you will appreciate them.Synergize
Opening your mind and heart to new possibilities or alternative options. Synergy is the height of creativity when new, untapped ideas emerge and alternatives are created.Sharpen the Saw
Sharpen the saw by renewing yourself physically, mentally, socially/emotionally and spiritually. Exercise in all dimensions of your life.
Photo: @BerniceSheppard
Write up in collaboration with: @Marissa_Noellle
