RIP Stephen Covey!
Here are his famous '7 habits of highly effective people':
1) Be Proactive
As human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. We have the
independent will to make our own choices and decisions, and the
responsibility ("the ability to respond") to make the right choices. You
have the freedom to choose your own fate and path, so having the
independent will, imagination and self-awareness to make the right move
makes you a proactive, and not a reactive, person.
2) Begin With The End In Mind
Mental visualization is extremely important. Covey says that all
things are created twice: first, the mental conceptualization and
visualization and a second physical, actual creation. Becoming your own
creator means to plan and visualize what you're going to do and what
you're setting out to accomplish and then go out and creating it.
Identifying your personal statement and your principles will help.
3) Put First Things First
With your power of independent will, you can create the ending you
want to have. Part of that comes with effective time management,
starting with matters of importance. Then tasks should be completed
based on urgency after you deal with all the important matters. If you
deal with crises, pressing problems and deadline-driven projects first,
your life will be a lot easier.
4) Think Win/Win
If you believe in a better way to accomplish goals that's mutually
beneficial to all sides, that's a win/win situation. "All parties feel
good about the decision and feel committed to the action plan," Covey
wrote. "One person's success is not achieved at the expense or exclusion
of the success of others." If you have integrity and maturity, there's
no reason win/win situations can't happen all the time.
5) Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood
If you're a good listener and you take the time to understand a
concept, it will help you convey your opinions, plans and goals to
others. It starts with communication and strong listening skills,
followed by diagnosing the situation and then communicating your
solution to others.
6) Synergize
Synergistic communication, according to Covey, is "opening your mind
and heart to new possibilities, new alternatives, new options." This
applies to the classroom, the business world and wherever you could
apply openness and communication. It's all about building cooperation
and trust.
7) Sharpen The Saw
Sometimes you're working so hard on the other six habits that you
forget about re-energizing and renewing yourself to sharpen yourself for
the tasks in front of you. Some sharpening techniques include exercise
and nutrition, reading, planning and writing, service and empathy and
commitment, study and meditation.