The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is a book written by Stephen Covey. In this book he presents an approach to being effective in attaining goals by aligning yourself with principles of character, these principles he describes as "The True North." Covey coined the idea of what he calls the abundance mindset/ abundance mentality, this concept feeds on the idea that there is enough to go around. All the success and resources are there to be shared with others, similar to the ideals of the Eastern world where everything done is for the gain of the collective. Covey compares this mindset to the scarcity mindset which he believes is based in destructive and unnecessary competition, this is founded on the idea that if someone wins then automatically everyone else has lost. Here the mentality is very western individualistic ( me, me, me, mentality nothing is done for the greater good). According to Covey individuals who suffer from a scarcity mindset never consider the fact that everyone may have a positive outcome from a situation.
Independence or Self-Mastery
The first three Habits surround moving from dependence to independence (independence being the state of self mastery)
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Summary: Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with lifes principles) are the best primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. take responsibility for your choices and the subsequent consequences that follow.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Summary: self discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics of your various roles and relationships in life.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Summary: Plan Prioritize and execute your weeks tasks on importance rather than urgency. Evaluate whether your efforts exemplify your desired character values,propel you towards your goals and enrich the roles and relationships that were elaborated in in Habit 2.
Interdependence
The second set of principles are concerning interdependence, how you work and communicate with others.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Summary : Genuinely strive for mutally beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect others by understanding that a "win" for all is ultimately a better long term resolution than if only one person in the situation had gotten their own way.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Summary: Use empathetic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to to reciprocate the listening and take an open mind to being influenced by you. this creates an atmosphere on caring respect and positive problem solving.
Habit 6: Synergize
Summary: Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork (good section for managers, supervisors and team leaders to read) in turn this helps to achieve goals no one person could have done alone. Get the best performance out of a group of people through encouraging meaningful contribution, and modelling inspirational and supportive leadership.
Self Renewal
The last habit refers to self renewal:
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Balance and constantly renew your resources, energy, (spirit) and health yo create a sustainable, long term, effective lifestyle.
Overall this book was an excellent read and definitely an eye opener, The principles are very easy to understand and implement in everyday life,with a bit of practice I should be on my way to being a highly effective person.
