As most of you are probably aware, Stephen Covey passed away this week. If you were not aware of Stephen’s accomplishments, I urge you to take a look at his website, read his books and learn from this remarkable man. https://www.stephencovey.com/
I wanted to do a quick review of one of Stephen’s very popular books “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” Stephen outlines 7 and later an 8th habit of those people that are highly successful. Here is a quick review of those habits:
1. Be proactive!
Control your environment, don’t let it control you!
2. Begin with the end in mind.
Avoid distractions and concentrate on the relevant activities.
3. Put first things first
This, Covey calls the habit of personal management. Ensure you organize and put things in place that are all geared to meeting your goal – see habit 2.
4. Think Win-Win
Covey believed that there was opportunity for many to win and that success often depends on cooperating with others.
5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
Covey used the analogy “diagnose before you prescribe”
6. Synergize
See the good in others and the potential that their potential contribution could bring.
7. Sharpen the saw
Covey talked about this habit being of self renewal which will surround the other habits and encourage positive growth. He described these items as: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional.
And the newest Habit…the 8th Habit:
8. From effectiveness to greatness
Reach beyond effectivness and move toward fulfilment, contribution and greatness.
If you have not read Covey’s books, I encourage you to do so….he was a great, wise man…