Stephen Covey's 7 habits of highly effective people

Habit 1: Be proactive. Accept responsibility for everything in your life, and blame no one and nothing for your circumstances. Then solely concern yourself with what you can influence.

Habit 2: Begin with the end. Decide what you want your life to look like, ultimately. If you are unsatisfied with your current life blueprint, rewrite a new one now. It’s never too late to start.

Habit 3: Put 1st things 1st. Analyze all tasks before committing. Is this 1) Urgent & important, 2) Important but not urgent, 3) Urgent but not important, 4) Not important and not urgent. Avoid tasks in categories 3 & 4 as much as possible.

Habit 4: Think win-win. Invest in your emotional bank by never winning at someone else’s expense nor by losing at the expense of your principles. Solve disagreements by relentlessly seeking win-win solutions.

Habit 5: First understand. Always attempt to understand others before asking them to understand you. Listen & try to see from their perspective. Know your core principles. Let your principles guide your decisions.

Habit 6: Synergize. Interactions with others can be: Mutually defensive (1+1<1), Mutually respectful (1+1=1.5) or Synergetic (1+1=10+) Always aim for #3 with open dialogue & creativity.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. Never stop improving: Physically: Diet, exercise & rest. Spiritually: Worship, reflect, bask in beauty. Mentally: Continuously learn through reading & writing.

Here’s how to start trying the 7 habits today: Think of 1 thing you will accept responsibility for and stop blaming. Choose 1 aspect of your “life blueprint” that you will change. Select 1 task you will de-prioritize & avoid doing in the future.

Invest in someone else’s emotional bank with appreciation or love. Intentionally listen to 1 person, making every effort to 100% understand their perspective. Spark a synergetic conversation with 1 person. Engage in 1 activity for your mental, physical or spiritual health.

If you want to be highly effective in work and life, these are the 7 habits that have proven to have the best results.