From 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,
By Stephen Covey, 380 pages
My father gave this book to me decades ago, and I have the date written inside the cover (11.29.89), the year of its first publication. The book has endured in popularity ever since as a classic tome of life wisdom. If ever a handbook of life existed, this is it, and a copy should be on everyone's bookshelf.
Some companies recommend that all their employees read it and incorporate the timeless wisdom into their personal codes in achieving greater effectiveness. And this practice does not just benefit the company, of course, but the individuals who familiarize themselves with the timeless truths included in it. And those who successfully align themselves with these truths are in effect making their own luck by optimizing their inner compass to success in any endeavor. While the prescriptions are admittedly easier to agree with than act on and adopt as habits, the core focus on achieving these changes rests on developing character, not personality. These habits remain critical benchmarks to refer to periodically for anyone looking to improve their circumstances in any way. They are:
By Stephen Covey, 380 pages
My father gave this book to me decades ago, and I have the date written inside the cover (11.29.89), the year of its first publication. The book has endured in popularity ever since as a classic tome of life wisdom. If ever a handbook of life existed, this is it, and a copy should be on everyone's bookshelf.
Some companies recommend that all their employees read it and incorporate the timeless wisdom into their personal codes in achieving greater effectiveness. And this practice does not just benefit the company, of course, but the individuals who familiarize themselves with the timeless truths included in it. And those who successfully align themselves with these truths are in effect making their own luck by optimizing their inner compass to success in any endeavor. While the prescriptions are admittedly easier to agree with than act on and adopt as habits, the core focus on achieving these changes rests on developing character, not personality. These habits remain critical benchmarks to refer to periodically for anyone looking to improve their circumstances in any way. They are:
- Be Proactive – Take the initiative and don’t impose limits on that prevents one from action. This embraces a freedom to determine options and to use unwelcome circumstances rather than be controlled by them. “In choosing our response to circumstance, we powerfully affect out circumstance.” Maintaining an openness to possibilities, change and choice are keys to this thinking.
- Begin with the End in Mind – Focus on goals, but focus on the right goals that are meaningful, satisfying and productive. Effectiveness is not just achieving goals, but achieving the right goals. While occurring well after this book was written, one can’t help but reflect on Steve Jobs reflections from the hospital bed about his own pursuit of goals, and his regrets for ultimately valuing the wrong priorities in his pursuit for legendary success.
- Put First Things First – Set priorities, and don’t allow critical priorities to be overshadowed by issues of lower importance. Distinguish the difference between importance and urgency. Proper planning can often help avoid emergencies and pitfalls. Assure that a balance of holistic life priorities are addressed at the same time, with work, family, relationships and adequate recreation taken into account and appropriate allotment of time in your schedule.
- Think Win/Win – Rewarding achievement is possible when others gain as well, you do too. The spirit of partnership is an essential value incorporated here. A win/lose transactions leave a victor and an injured party, whereas highly effective people strive for win/win scenarios leaving all parties in a better state. Any other kind of transaction leaves an element of destruction with its losers, and inevitable enemies and unresolved hostility. Highly effective people seek to multiply their allies, not enemies.
- Seek to First Understand, Then be Understood – Communication is only truly effective when it is a two-way equation. Listening is the critical key—not to prepare a rebuttal to someone’s position—but to understand. Don’t assume you understand one side’s position until you have heard it from their perspective, in their words. Understand what winning means to them. Understand what their biggest issues are from their side, not yours. Equipped with this knowledge you can better craft your vision of achieving your objectives which take the other party into full account as realistic beneficial goals are defined.
- Synergize – Cooperation and partnership multiplies the power of one. Sadly this word has been over-used. In business settings I see people avoiding using it completely because of the potential stigma of cliché. The core the message imbedded in it, however, is priceless and invaluable. A prerequisite for this optimal cooperation is effective and dynamic two-way communication, the equation of which boils down to: listen, reflect, respond then cooperate within an informed framework.
- Sharpen the Saw – This phrase comes from the old tale of the man sawing, getting more and more tired, less and less productive, when an observer suggests sharpening the saw. The worker however, insists he can’t stop because he’s too busy sawing. Highly effective people assess and revise, ‘sharpen their tools’, which means they embrace a self-renewal of their bodies, souls, minds and hearts. Without that habits become entrenched and a dull mind and body results. Choosing challenging activities for the mind and body promote an engaged and alert individual. Work to also develop your emotional connections and engagement with other people.
“Think effectiveness
with people
and efficiency
with things.”