Title of book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Why I chose to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
I chose to read this book because it has been recommended to me by many friends, podcasts, and influential people that I see as role models.
What I learned from reading this book:
The seven habits written below are what Covey explains to be universal laws of success that when applied have been proven to significantly improve personal and business results.
1. Be proactive and take responsibility for our own actions. Understanding that we control the response we give to conflict. Also to take initiative to make things happen.
2. Begin with the end in mind: This chapter explains the difference between management and leadership. Management is overseeing the efficiency and climbing the ladder of success. Leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall. We often set and achieve goals before we have clarified our values. Once we have established our core values, we can set goals and manage progress that aligns with those values. Covey writes, “Begin each day with your deepest values firmly in mind. Then as challenges come, make your decisions based on those values.”
3. Put first things first: “ The things that matter the most must never be at the mercy of things that matter the least.” Goethe
Covey says that we must become a function of our values rather than a function of impulse. By focusing on our highest priorities, and eliminating the unimportant, we will reach a higher level of operational proficiency.
4. Think win /win: By thinking of how others can advantage as well as yourself will build trust, character, and better relationships. This will bring more opportunities and success in the long run. I believe this is the most important habit as most people are programmed to think when/lose. By convincing someone they will also benefit from your ideas, will close more sales, make your child want to eat their vegetables and build lasting relationships built on a good foundation. This can only be accomplished when implementing the habit number five.
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply. By empathetic listening we will understand why another person thinks or acts the way they do. Once another person realizes we understand them they will be more open to listening and understanding our points of view. “ The amateur salesman sells products. The professional sells solutions to problems.”
6. Synergize: When two plants are planted close together their roots will intermingle with each plant and will grow stronger than if they were separated. The same works within a group of people. When a coalition puts their minds together and find synergy, they will form, stronger ideas, and the results will multiply. This also happens within the self. When principles are put together the output will be significantly higher.
7. Sharpen the saw: This is to continually build and maintain all principles and values. “Someday in the years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under great sorrow of your life. But the real struggle is here, now. Now it is being decided, whether in the day of your supreme, sorrow or temptation, you shall miserably fail, or gloriously conquer. Character cannot be made, except by a steady, long, continued process.” Phillips Brooks
How reading The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People will contribute to my success upon release:
Reading and practicing the seven habits has already begun contributing to my success and upon my release by inspiring me to write my own personal mission statement. This is a set of values and principles that I now live by. I have realized that my life is a product of past principles that I used to live by, ultimately leading me into wrong choices with poor outcomes, and it was now time for a great change.
