7 Habits of Highly Effective People By Stephen R. Covey

1 Be Proactive You are responsible for your own life You do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for your behavior It’s not what happens to you, but your response to what happens to you that hurts you. “No one can hurt you without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt

2 Begin With the End in Mind Imagine how you want people to see you and become that person! What type of spouse do you want to be? What type of parent do you want to be? What type of professional/worker do you want to be? “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and, keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters most.”

How to do it Develop a Personal Mission Statement Example: Never compromise with honesty Be sincere yet decisive Maintain a positive attitude Keep a sense of humor Listen twice as much as you speak Hear both sides before judging Plan tomorrow’s work today

3 Put First Things First Become “Principle-Centered” Coherence Balance Know what your high priorities are and have the courage to keep them! Coherence There is harmony, unity, and integrity between your vision and mission, your roles and goals, your priorities and plans, and your desires and discipline. Balance Health, family, professional development, personal development

4 Think Win/Win A frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions Based on the premise that there is plenty for everyone, that one person’s success is not achieved at the expense or exclusion of the success of others.

5 Seek to Understand, Then Be Understood Empathy Most people do not listen to understand – they are merely waiting for their turn to be heard. Listen with the intent to understand “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”

6 Synergize “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” Value differences – respect them, build on strengths, compensate for weaknesses Open your mind and heart to new possibilities, alternatives, and new options Requires great personal security and a spirit of adventure

7 Sharpen the Saw Take time for you – Renew your… Spiritual Dimension – the private area of your life; your value system Mental Dimension – don’t let your mind atrophy; read, explore, think analytically, write Social-Emotional Dimension – “Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.”