The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey’s number 1 best seller, offers all of us understanding of the personally characteristics of the world’s most highly effective and successful people. Throughout to late 70’s, Stephen Covey researched almost two centuries of publications and literature on business and financial success.
Out of his research, Stephen Covey managed to discover and document a list of underlying characteristics that are very common among all effective people. Additionally, lacking these attributes will cause you to be ineffective!
Moving From Dependence to Independence
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Most people go about their lives being reactive. These people get fired from a job, so they look for a different job. They get sick, so they take medicine. Stephen Covey tells us that highly effective people tend to be proactive. They decide to find a better job or to have better health, rather than of responding to whatever curves life throws at them.
The first of the authors 7 habits is to be proactive. It’s essential to first take responsibility for your life and your situation. Change starts from inside.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Stephen Covey writes we must start out thinking of the end. Create your goals first and then everyday take action in the direction of those objectives.
If you really do not know where you’re heading, how can you know which route to travel?
Habit 3: Put First Things First
In writing regarding this characteristic, Stephen Covey tells us to be results focused. I think of the expression “Paralysis of Analysis”, which occurs whenever we are so bogged down with the implementation details that we are not able to move in the direction of the end goal.
Begin by focusing on the “what”, not the “how”. First determine what do you want, only then is it possible to figure out how to accomplish it.
Moving From Independence to Interdependence
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
You’ve heard the expression “it is a win / win deal”. Stephen Covey writes that highly effective people are always looking for a win/win deal. Successful men and women always look for scenarios wherein everybody is a winner.
Self centered, narcissistic individuals are unable to be effective for the long run.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Within this section, Stephen Covey writes about listening. He explains to us that we need to pay attention and understand, then be understood. This is all about communication. Highly effective people are great listeners and great communicators.
When a person is talking to you, are you listening to the things they are expressing or are you pondering about what you are going to say next?
Habit 6: Synergize
Synergy is about elements working together! Mutual trust and understanding is essential. This is all about creating teams and making use of the power of other people.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
This could possibly be the most important of all the 7 habits. Stephen Covey writes about being a life long learner.
These fundamental character traits, Stephen Covey’s 7 habits of highly effective people are vitally important for attaining success in everything we do. Apply these 7 habits to your life and small business and you will be highly effective also!