7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I had the opportunity to re-read a classic book for those who want to better themselves, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.  I remember attending Covey’s workshops while I worked at Syracuse University.  My boss was very supportive of giving staff the tools to be the consummate professional, and Covey’s tools were so influential earlier in my career.  Covey’s work focused on people making a “paradigm change” in their life and that another perspective exists and using his suggestion will get you there.  He breaks it into three areas: independence, interdependence, and continuous improvement. So what are those seven habits that take 21 days to instill into your daily life?  Well, here goes:

In the independence area, which he believes is the self-mastery area, habits include: 1. being proactive (in all areas of one’s life); 2. begin with the end in mind (love this one – which asks the person to envision a future reality as concretely as possible (painting the picture); and 3. put first things first (a person needs to manage themselves before managing others).

In the interdependence area, the habits include: 4. think win-win (solutions should be mutually beneficial for both parties as a long-term resolution); 5. seek first to understand, then to be understood (hardest thing to do, put yourself in the other’s situation first before thinking of your own); 6. synergize (combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals that no one could have done alone).

In area three, continuous improvements, 7. sharpen the saw (balance and renew yourself, often).  Determine what it is for you that gives you rejuvenation (meditation, yoga, exercise, relaxation, etc.). 

Covey describes the movement among the habits, continuing to rise a person in an upward spiral, and that repeating the habits enhances the person.  There is a real spiritual connection to the habits, very ritual in nature.   The Upward Spiral model consists of three parts: learn, commit, do. According to Covey, one must be increasingly educating the conscience in order to grow and develop on the upward spiral. The idea of renewal by education will propel one along the path of personal freedom, security, wisdom, and power.

This is a very simplistic, yet hard to achieve approach.  With really good training, the habits are common sense at their core, and a really good road map to improve oneself.  If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for??