THE 7 HABBIT

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Being proactive is more than taking initiative. It is accepting responsibility for our own behavior (past, present, and future) and making choices based on principles and values rather than on moods or circumstances. Proactive people are agents of change and choose not to be victims, to be creative, or to blame others. They do this by developing and using four unique human gifts-self-awareness, conscience, imagination, and independent will-and taking an Inside-Out Approach to creating change. They resolve to be the creative forces in their own lives, which is the most fundamental decision anyone ever makes.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

All things are created twice-first mentally, second physically. Individuals, families, teams, and organization shape their own future by creating a mental vision and purpose for any project. They don’t just live day to day without a clear purpose in mind. They mentally identify and commit themselves to the principles, values, relationship, and purposes that matter most to them. A mission statement is the highest form of mental creation for an individual, a family, or an organization. It is the primary decision because it governs all other decisions. Creating a culture behind a shared mission, vision, and values is the essence of leadership.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Putting first things first is the second or physical creation. It is organizing and executing around the mental creation(your purpose, vision, values, and most important priorities). Second things do not come first. First thing do not come second. Individuals and organization focus on what matter most, urgent or not. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

Thinking win-win is a frame of mind and heart that seeks mutual benefit and is based on mutual respect in all interactions. It’s about thinking in terms of abundances-an ever-expanding ’’pie’’, a cornucopia of opportunity, wealth, and resources-rather than of scarcity and adversarial competition. It’s not thinking selfishly (win-lose) or like a martyr (lose-win). Thinking win-win encourages conflict resolution and helps individuals seek mutually beneficial solution. It’s sharing information, power, recognition, and rewards.

Habit 5: Seeks Firs to Understand, Then to Be Understood

When we listen with the intent to understand others, rather than with the intent to reply, we begin true communication and relationship building. When others feel understood first, they feel affirmed and valued, defenses are lowered, and opportunities to speak openly and to be understood come much more naturally and easily. Seeking to understand take kindness; seeking to be understood take courage. Effectiveness lies in balancing the two.

Habit 6: Synergize

Synergize is about producing a third alternative-not my way, not your way, but a third way that is better than either of us would come up with individually. It’s the fruit of mutual respect-of understanding and even celebrating one another’s differences in solving problems, seizing opportunities.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Sharpening the saw is about constantly renewing ourselves in the four basic areas of our life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.