I was just thinking of 7 habits that could make people highly effective. Though I heard about this book quite a few times, I never bothered to think about it as I thought it’s just another self-help book. But for the first time, I don’t know why, I started giving a thought to these seven powerful sentences a little seriously. I believe understanding these habits and inculcating them in regular life takes a life-time of practice and dedication. But, it has to start somewhere. That starting point I think is Assimilation of the meaning of these habits and what exactly covey is trying to convey.
Habit 1 - be proactive
This is the ability to control one's environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case. Self-determination, choice, and the power to decide response to stimulus, conditions and circumstances
Habit 2 - begin with the end in mind
Covey calls this the habit of personal leadership - leading oneself that is; towards what you consider your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful.
Habit 3 - put first things first
Covey calls this the habit of personal management. This is about organizing and implementing activities in line with the aims established in habit 2. Covey says that habit 2 is the first or mental creation; habit 3 is the second or physical creation. (See the section on time management.)
Habit 4 - think win-win
Covey calls this the habit of interpersonal leadership, necessary because achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. He says that win-win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone, and that success follows a co-operative approach more naturally than the confrontation of win-or-lose.
Habit 5 - seek first to understand and then to be understood
This is one of the greatest maxims of the modern age. This is Covey's habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful. Covey helps to explain this in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'. Simple and effective, and essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life. (See the associated sections on Empathy, Transactional Analysis, and the Johari Window.)
Habit 6 - synergize
Covey says this is the habit of creative co-operation - the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.
Habit 7 - sharpen the saw
This is the habit of self-renewal, says Covey, and it necessarily surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to happen and grow. Covey interprets the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing.
In his more recent book 'The 8th Habit', Stephen Covey introduced an the eighth habit, which deals with personal fulfillment and helping others to achieve fulfillment too, which aligns helpfully with Maslow's notions of 'Self-Actualization' and 'Transcendence' in the Hierarchy of Needs model, and also with the later life-stages in Erikson's Psychosocial Life-Stage Theory. The 8th Habit book also focuses on leadership, another distinct aspect of fulfillment through helping others. Time will tell whether the 8th Habit achieves recognition and reputation close to Covey's classic original 7 Habits work.
Source: businessball.com
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