7 highly effective habits to discover the keys to success! The renowned 1989 self-development book by Stephen Covey teaches you how to become more accomplished in business and all aspects of your life by shifting your perspective and better understanding your definition of success.

Since its release, the book has sold over twenty-five million copies in thirty-eight languages. The CEO magazine called The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of the two most influential books of the twentieth century.

Its success may be attributed to Stephen Covey’s attempt to assist readers in embracing timeless and universal ideals to guide them in forming habits that can be applied to any scenario. His book is about altering your character and perception of the world, not providing you with laws or principles to follow. It influences your behaviour and how you react to certain events. There are no easy remedies in this case.

Be proactive

You have an innate desire to influence the world, so don’t waste time responding to external events and situations. 

If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting.

Stephen Covey

Take responsibility, and don’t wait for problems to happen before taking action. To know more about this state of mind, read Growth Mindset and What is the Circle of Influence?

Begin with an end in mind

Don’t waste your life working mindlessly, handling whatever task. Create a vision for the future and coordinate your activities to make it a reality. On a personal level, redact a Personal Mission Statement, and on a corporate level, use tools such as The Lean Startup or The Design Thinking Process to test and launch new ideas.

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Stephen Covey

Put first things first

Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.

Stephen Covey

To prioritise your job, concentrate on what is vital and what will move you closer to your future goal. Don’t be sidetracked by urgent but insignificant chores. Use Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix to fix priorities and the Weekly Review for managing your time and decreasing stress.

The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities.

Stephen Covey

Think win-win 

When negotiating with others, you can establish an amicable split among all parties rather than get the most significant slice of the cake. You’ll still get your fair share and develop solid and good connections in the process.

Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.

Stephen Covey

According to Stephen Covey, win-win is a concept of human relationships rather than a strategy. It is a mental condition that causes a person to seek benefits in whatever they do continually.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood 

When someone presents us with an issue, we frequently immediately provide a solution. This is a blunder. We should first take the time to carefully listen to the other person before truly giving advice.

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. They’re either speaking or preparing to speak.

Stephen Covey

Synergise 

The last of the 7 habits, Synergy, occurs when a group experiences simultaneous and cooperative flow. This will assist you in achieving goals that you would not have been able to attain on your own. Stephen Covey refers to Synergy as the “peak experience” of group engagement.
First, gather ideal team players, and second, build high-performing teams.

On the company level, simplify as much as possible (remove bureaucracy), fight workplace negativity and foster collaboration between departments.

Sharpen the saw

Take care of yourself. Don’t overwork yourself. Strive for a sustainable way of living that allows you to rest, rejuvenate, and be more productive in the long run.

Conclusion

You must work on your character to see genuine improvements in your life and personal growth. After all, true personal progress cannot be attained by shortcuts.

Form new habits and modify the fundamental assumptions that comprise your worldview. That is the transformation Stephen Covey attempts to bring about in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

If you genuinely want to change your destiny, Stephen believes you must modify your habits and character, working “from the inside out.” You may begin to affect the world around you the minute you significantly change yourself. To alter your life, you must first confront yourself. David Gousset