The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
A Principle-centered Approach to Solving Personal and Professional Problems
Book Summary
About the Author
Stephen Covey was a keynote speaker, businessman, educator & author, He has been awarded as one of the ‘Most Influential Americans of 1996’ by Time Magazine. Covey also wrote the books ‘The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness‘ and ‘The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents around the world are inspiring greatness, One Child At a Time.’
Purpose of This Summary
This summary aims you can have a quick overview of the guiding principles of this book that have led many to improve their behaviors and leadership skills. If the outlining of these main points whets your appetite then click on the link below to read the full text.
Values
- True success comes from integrity and character based on values found in the Character Ethic.
Inside Out or Outside In?
- Transformation comes from within.
- Not everything can be fixed by superficial means.
- Some fixes seem to be effective but are only temporary solutions.
- We often need to change ourselves before changing anything else.
Habits
- Habits are the basis of our character and define who we are.
- Bad habits, like smoking, can be really harmful & even knowing their consequences is not enough for us to abandon them.
- Some bad habits can turn into an addiction.
- Seeking help is an important way to break bad habits.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
First Habit: Interdependence
When you are mature enough, you start to understand the importance of cooperation and interdependence in different spheres:
– physical: you can work alone and in a team
– emotional: you have self-worth and good relationships
– intellectual: have your own ideas and listen to others.
– proactivity: not only should we take the initiative and stop thinking that our circumstances are only due to external factors or even luck.
Proactive people do not blame others for what happens to them
Second Habit: Always with the End in Mind
- This habit helps you in taking decisions seriously.
- Taking a panoramic view of your life can give you perspective
- The first thing that exists is an idea. If you have a clear outcome, then, you can start working towards achieving it.
- Understanding this can save people frustration. This is what leadership entails: vision and getting things done.
Third Habit: First Things First
- Time Management is crucial to be effective.
- Time Management requires self-discipline & avoiding immediate gratification.
Fourth: Win/Win. Let’s Look at Different Paradigms (models)
Fifth Habit: Understand Before Being Understood
- If you can truly understand another person, you will be rewarded with a powerful channel of communication and work together.
- We have to learn to listen deeply and truly empathize with others. Then we can find the solutions we are looking for.
- Courage and presenting ideas clearly are required to being understood.
Sixth Habit: Synergy
- This habit discusses how the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Every player must have a common goal.
Seventh Habit: Sharpen the Saw
- You should not be so busy so as not to see what can ease your load.
- Always evaluate your methods.
- Renew yourself:
- mentally (healthy diet, physical exercise),
- spiritually (prayer, meditation),
- mentally (learning experiences, seeking out information), and
- emotionally (build strong relationships).
- You should always remember inside change is gradual and a long-term goal, but certainly a worthy one.
Read The Full Text of ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Clicking Here —> The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
