The 7 Habits
Each chapter is dedicated to one of the habits, which are represented by the following imperatives:
The First Three Habits surround moving from dependence to independence (i.e. self mastery)
- Habit 1: Be Proactive
Synopsis: Take initiative in life by realizing your decisions (and how they align with life's principles) are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Taking responsibility for your choices and the subsequent consequences that follow.
- Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Synopsis: Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life.
- Habit 3: Put First Things First
Synopsis: Planning, prioritizing, and executing your week's tasks based on importance rather than urgency. Evaluating if your efforts exemplify your desired character values, propel you towards goals, and enrich the roles and relationships elaborated in Habit 2.
The Next Three are to do with Interdependence (i.e. working with others)
- Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Synopsis: Genuinely striving for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Valuing and respecting people by understanding a "win" for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person in the situation had gotten his way.
- Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be understood
Synopsis: Using empathetic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to reciprocate the listening, take an open mind to being influenced by you, which creates an atmosphere of caring, respect, and positive problem solving.
- Habit 6: Synergize
Synopsis: Combining the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals no one person could have done alone. How to yield the most prolific performance out of a group of people through encouraging meaningful contribution, and modeling inspirational and supportive leadership.
The Last habit relates to self-rejuvenation;
- Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Synopsis: The balancing and renewal of your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable long-term effective lifestyle.
[edit]Abundance mentality
Covey coined the term abundance mentality or abundance mindset, a concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and success to share with others. It is commonly contrasted with the scarcity mindset (i.e. destructive and unnecessary competition), which is founded on the idea that, if someone else wins or is successful in a situation, that means you lose; not considering the possibility of all parties winning (in some way or another) in a given situation. Individuals with an abundance mentality are able to celebrate the success of others rather than be threatened by it.[2]
A number of books appearing in business press since then have discussed the idea.[3] The abundance mentality is believed to arrive from having a high self worth and security (see Habits 1, 2, and 3), and leads to the sharing of profits, recognition and responsibility.[4] Organizations may also apply an abundance mentality while doing business.[5]
[edit]The Upward Spiral
Covey explains the "Upward Spiral" model in the sharpening the saw section. Through our conscience, along with meaningful and consistent progress, the spiral will result in growth, change, and constant improvement. In essence, one is always attempting to integrate and master the principles outlined in The 7 Habits at progressively higher levels at each iteration. Subsequent development on any habit will render a different experience and you will learn the principles with a deeper understanding. The Upward Spiral model consists of three parts: learn, commit, do. According to Covey, one must be increasingly educating the conscience in order to grow and develop on the upward spiral. The idea of renewal by education will propel one along the path of personal freedom, security, wisdom, and power. [6]
[edit]Sequels
The book was enormously popular[citation needed], and catapulted Covey into public-speaking appearances and workshops. He has also written a number of follow-up books:
- First Things First
- Principle Centered Leadership
- The Power Of The 7 Habits: Applications And Insights
- Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families
- Beyond the Seven Habits
- Living the Seven Habits, a collection of stories from people who have applied the seven habits in their lives
- The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness, a sequel to The Seven Habits published in 2004
- The Leader in Me, a book on using the seven habits for young children, especially in schools, published in 2008.
Sean Covey (Stephen's son) has written a version of the book for teens, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. This version simplifies the 7 Habits for younger readers so they can better understand them. In September 2006, Sean Covey also published The 6 Most Important Decisions You Will Ever Make: A Guide for Teens. This guide highlights key times in the life of a teen and gives advice on how to deal with them.
Stephen Covey's eldest son, Stephen M. R. Covey, has written a book titled The Speed of Trust.
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