The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

by Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a book by Stephen Covey that has sold over 25 million copies. The book is based on Covey’s belief that the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perception.

Covey’s 7 Habits are:

Be Proactive
Begin with the End in Mind
Put First Things First
Think Win-Win
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Synergize
Sharpen the Saw

1. Be Proactive

The first habit is to be proactive. This means that you take responsibility for your own life and don’t let other people or circumstances control you. You make decisions based on your own values and beliefs, not on what others think is best for you.

2. Begin with the End in Mind

The second habit is to begin with the end in mind. This means that you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and you make decisions based on that vision. You don’t let distractions or other people’s opinions derail you from your goals.

3. Put First Things First

The third habit is to put first things first. This means that you prioritize your time and energy on the things that are most important to you. You don’t let less important things consume you.

4. Think Win-Win

The fourth habit is to think win-win. This means that you see every situation as an opportunity to find a solution that is beneficial for everyone involved. You don’t look at life as a zero-sum game where someone has to lose in order for you to win.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

The fifth habit is to seek first to understand, then to be understood. This means that you listen to others with the intention of truly understanding their point of view. Only then do you share your own opinion. You don’t just wait for your turn to talk.

6. Synergize

The sixth habit is to synergize. This means that you see the value in working together with others to create something greater than what you could create on your own. You recognize that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

7. Sharpen the Saw

The seventh habit is to sharpen the saw. This means that you continuously work on improving yourself. You don’t just coast along and hope that things will get better. You are always learning and growing.