The seven habits of really successful people

One of the best books ever written about productivity and success is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The book, which was first published in 1989, is regarded as one of the most important business books of all time and has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Covey's character ethic of personal growth serves as the foundation for the book. To assist readers in achieving their objectives, it places an emphasis on interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and personal responsibility.

People who are proactive make deliberate decisions that are consistent with their values. Even if they aren't always well-liked, they always act morally. Being proactive requires forethought. To achieve this, set goals, specify the measures to take to get there, and be sure to carry them out.

Conversely, reactive people frequently respond to situations and events that are beyond their control. Due to unforeseen challenges or changes in the environment, they might need to modify their objectives or even change their course.

Stephen Covey introduces the idea of "Begin with the End in Mind" in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which we examined in the last blog article. When it comes to productivity, this is one of the most crucial habits. This idea applies to all aspects of your life, including your finances. Creating a clear path to attaining your financial goals and avoiding potential hazards requires starting with the end in mind.

Putting first things first is one of the most crucial things you can do if you want to be effective. This will help you keep on track with your daily objectives and complete everything on time. This also prevents you from wasting time on unimportant chores because you won't have enough time for them.

Thinking win-win is a key behavior of highly competent individuals. It is about pursuing mutual advantage in all human interactions, not about being polite. Internal organizational structures inside the corporation were not created to foster a win-win paradigm. Their incentive programs were made so that workers could compete with one another.

Stephen Covey worked for a real estate firm that held an annual sales meeting where top performers were recognized for both their individual and team achievements. When he went to the meeting for the first time, he saw that only 40 of the 800 attendees received awards.

People frequently make the error of listening without truly attempting to comprehend another person's viewpoint. This may make them angry or frustrated and make it difficult for them to communicate. Prior to attempting to grasp what the other person is thinking or feeling, Covey advises concentrating on understanding yourself. This will raise the possibility of a win-win outcome.

The capacity to collaborate with others to produce something larger than the sum of its parts is known as synergize. It can increase your effectiveness and is a crucial business skill. This practice is crucial while interacting with people and their peculiarities. To share ideas, you need both trust and a secure psychological environment.

Finding people who are different from you and appreciating what they have to offer is the best approach to develop this behavior. This can involve a parent with a different set of values or history from your own, a member who is near to retiring and is quiet in meetings, a team member who shares excessive amounts of information, or even a member of Gen Z with pink hair.

The seventh habit, "Sharpen the Saw," is how to protect and improve yourself, which is your most valuable asset. It involves the rejuvenation of oneself on four levels: the physical, mental, spiritual, and social/emotional. Covey uses the example of a woodcutter who observed his output was dropping after working nonstop for several days to illustrate the idea.