The 7 habits of highly effective people

Want to know the secrets to success? This iconic 1989 self-help book by Stephen R Covey, shows you how to become a more effective person not only in business but in the rest of your life, by changing how you see the world and better understanding your own definition of success.

1. Be proactive
In this chapter, Covey says that many people are reactive (they allow external circumstances to dictate their behaviour), instead of proactive (taking responsibility for their decisions and behaviour). Instead of blaming the world for your problems, or letting the actions of others, or even bad weather, dictate your mood, you can be a more effective person by focussing on the things that you can actually do something about (your Circle of Influence) and not concern yourself with things you can’t change or influence.

2. Begin with the end in mind
Covey says that when you take an action, you actually do it twice. The first time is when you imagine doing it, and then again when you actually do it in real life. He uses the example of building a house. First you visualise the house and make the detailed plans of the layout and the materials needed, then you start building it. If you didn’t make the plans first, it is likely that you would make lots of costly mistakes.
The message here is that if you visualise an action and its desired consequences first, instead of just ploughing on, possibly in the wrong direction, the more likely you are to have success.

3. Put first things first
This habit is all about prioritisation. You need to figure out the things that are most important and always put them first. But how do you work out what’s most important?

4. Think “win-win”
Life is a negotiation. When going into a situation with others, many people seek a “win-lose” outcome - every interaction they have whether at work or in their personal lives is seen as a competition. Effective people on the other hand see the benefit in giving everyone a fair share of the pie and fostering positive long-term relationships. Try to approach every situation willing to negotiate until both parties are satisfied - you’ll see greater returns in the end.

5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply,” says Covey.
He explains that a lot of the time we don’t really listen to people, but instead project our own situation onto them and assume that what they’re thinking and feeling are the same. We then prescribe solutions to them that don’t really work. People rarely trust the advice of someone who they don’t feel really understands them or the situation.

6. Synergise
Synergy basically means that if you put two things together, the outcome is greater than the combined total of the two separate components. 1+1 can actually equal 3 or more if you work together. When people work together to tackle a challenge, using everyone’s separate strengths, it’s always better than fighting each other and trying to go it alone. For this you need to understand, trust and respect each other.

7. Sharpen the saw if you want to keep sawing
The seventh habit is all about self-improvement. Your tools may be adequate for the job, but if you never stop to sharpen them, they will become less and less effective. Covey uses the analogy of a lumberjack sawing down trees - if he keeps sawing without stopping to sharpen his saw, eventually it will become blunt and he won’t be able to cut down trees anymore.