The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was a popular book when it was first published in 1990, and it continues to be a business bestseller 20 years later. It is the best place to start with Stephen Covey. The book was already extremely successful when I first started reading it, and had the chance to do some work with Stephen. Stephen Covey is highly respected in personal and business development. Initially, I expected to read it quickly and walk away with some random, quick tips. But the book really provides detailed information to enable anyone to change their life.

I have included The “7 Habits”, but the magic comes in the implementation of these habits, not in the reading of them. Dr. Covey writes about the “paradigm shift” required to truly change your life. According to Dr. Covey, you need to actually change your perception and interpretation of how your world works. His system and habits work to enhance both your personal and professional life and provide a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving problems. Bottom line—the habits work.

From The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

  1. Be Proactive

“Taking initiative does not mean being pushy, obnoxious, or aggressive. It does mean recognizing our responsibility to make things happen.”

2. Begin With the End in Mind

“(This habit)…is based on imagination—the ability to envision, to see the potential, to create with our minds what we cannot at present see with our eyes...”

3. Put First Things First

“Create a clear, mutual understanding of what needs to be accomplished, focusing on what, not how; results not methods. Spend time. Be patient. Visualize the desired result.”

4. Think Win-Win

“Win-Win is a frame of mind that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win-Win means that agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying.”

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

“‘Seek First to Understand’ involves a very deep shift in paradigm. We typically seek first to be understood. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. They’re either speaking or preparing to speak. They’re filtering everything through their own paradigms, reading their autobiography into other people’s lives.”

6. Synergize

“Synergy works; it’s a correct principle. It is the crowning achievement of all the previous habits. It is effectiveness in an interdependent reality—it is teamwork, team building, the development of unity and creativity with other human beings.”

 7. Sharpen the Saw

“This is the habit of renewal...It circles and embodies all the other habits. It is the habit of continuous improvement...that lifts you to new levels of understanding and living each of the habits.”