The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey believes the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions.

 PREFACE

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" was first published in 1989. It is a business and self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey. Covey suggests an approach to being effective in attaining goals by aligning oneself to what he calls "true north" principles based on a character ethic that he presents as universal and timeless. It is written on Covey's belief that the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions. To change a given situation, we must change ourselves, and to change ourselves, we must be able to change our perceptions(Hussain, 2022).

PERCEPTIONS

I reckon the most important point that most people fail to achieve is that Covey believes the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions. For instance, if we are able to change ourselves such as how we see the world, we would feel and act differently in the same situation. However, it is not easy for most of us, especially, when we are experiencing failure, distress, and disappointment. The concept of success is also a complex one. For me, owning an excellent business is a success. For many people, financial freedom is their success. For humans, dinosaurs are monsters. For dinosaurs, we are also monsters. 

THE HABITS

According to Covey, Habits 1(Be Proactive), 2(Begin with the End in Mind), and 3(Put First Things First) are focused on self-management and moving from dependence to independence(Hussain, 2022). It makes sense logically since leaders should not be a person who is highly dependent on others. Habits 4(Think Win-Win), 5(Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood), and 6(Synergize) are focused on developing teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills, and moving from independence to interdependence(Hussain, 2022). Those skills are critical because leaders have to lead their followers by sharing the same value and vision. They have to communicate with their teams and collaborate with the people they lead.

KEYSTONE HABITS

I believe that before we are able to lead others, we should keep growing ourselves. After we become a leader, success is to help others succeed. Since habit 7(Sharpen the Saw) is focused on continuous growth and improvement and embodies all the other habits, I think it works like the keystone habits such as making your bed, stopping smoking, eating healthier, and doing exercise, eventually, these keystone habits will create a structure that helps other habits to flourish.

SMART Technique

Stephen Covey’s Habit 2 suggests that, in everything we do, we should begin with the end in mind(Hussain, 2022). I believe that if we do something with a clear destination, it is able to keep us focusing in the right direction and avoid distractions. I reckon that it can be adopted with the SMART Technique(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to get the best result. For example, suppose you get up in the morning and write down all the tasks you want to accomplish using the SMART Technique. You would be able to focus on the goal and also have a clear destination which is also the goal in mind. Writing down your tasks is one of the keystone habits and related to Covey’s Habit 2.

Covey’s Habit 2

According to Covey’s Habit 2, we can use our imagination to develop a vision of what we want to become and use our conscience to decide what values will guide us. Then, I tried to understand it. I believe the core of this concept is to set a mission or vision statement for yourself. While most people work hard to achieve victories and higher income, whom of them actually have a clear goal in their life? Although we all think money is important to everyone, most of us may not have a clear path to go. For example, if I would like to run my own business, I must have a clear road map and set the required steps such as learning required skills, having enough savings, and making a business plan. As a result, all these three steps will keep you in the right direction of your path. It is also critical for businesses to keep on track with their mission and vision. However, before individuals or organizations try to set goals, we must be able to identify our core values. For example, suppose that I want to lose weight, my core values might be being healthy, in a good shape, or being able to do some specific exercises. In addition to the core value, identifying the center of the value is required. It is the major reason why the value exists and fundamentally affects us.

REFECT MY MYSELF

When I tried to identify my center of my life, I felt it is difficult to pick only one center. I reckon I am at least three or more centered. My feelings of security are based on the way your spouse treats me, founded on fulfilling family expectations, and also determined by my net worth and my assets. I think my spouse and family memebers let me feel that I am loved. Net worth and assets let me feel I have the ability to live well in the society and is able to help others. I have many different roles in my life, a lover, a family member, a classmate, a coworker, daddy of my puppy, a friend, and an investor, etc. 

Finally, I would like to share a book review that I think is worth reading. The book is "The Power of Habits: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business " by Duhigg Charles. In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explained why habits exist and how they can be changed. Duhigg also presents a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential such as the key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. 

References

Hussain, A. (2022, April 11). 7 habits of highly effective people [summary & takeaways]. HubSpot Blog. Retrieved June 24, 2022, from https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/habits-of-highly-effective-people-summary