Learning How to Apply “The Seven Habits”: a Practical Summary

Sow an motion, reap a behavior. Sow a behavior, reap your future. Learn how to recreate your life with “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey.

Sid’s been a therapist and life coach for over 30 years. He seeks out the perfect methods to achieve life.

Challenging Us to Think—and Live

The most difficult side of Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People can also be its biggest present: He respects his readers. He encourages us to suppose for ourselves and remodel ourselves into higher individuals. He does not pander to our present self-image, the place we might really feel overwhelmed or helpless. Rather, he helps us see that feeling overwhelmed and helpless, and pondering in restricted methods, is itself the issue.

If we settle for this problem, we come to stay lives of ever-increasing self-awareness. We see how we see issues. And we see that the way in which we now have been seeing issues is, itself, the supply of the issues that we have had till now.

Covey’s strategy works, and it’s important. It is important as a result of Albert Einstein was proper when he mentioned “the significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them” (Seven Habits, p. 42).

Do You Put Blinders on Yourself?

Or Do You Choose to Be Open, Aware, and Free?

Choosing to Be Open and Aware

I’ve labored my method by means of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People 5 instances, run a variety of small courses, and coached many particular person teaching purchasers by means of the e-book. I deal with it as a workbook, and train individuals how to use the instruments that fill the e-book.

For everybody, I’ve discovered that the e-book will get simpler because it goes. Each half is less complicated than the one earlier than it. And the e-book has 4 components:

• Part 1: Paradigms and Principles is the place Covey exhibits us how to see and alter our perspective on life, our paradigm. But that paradigm defends itself and resists change. I work very rigorously with my purchasers by means of this part, and so they expertise many challenges, and plenty of eye-opening essential victories.
• Part 2: Private Victory introduces the habits that transfer us from dependence, the place we stay with frustration and failure, or want others to change or to assist us, to independence, the place we make our personal lives work. We commit to success, outline our targets, and work steadily to make them actual with self-leadership and self-management.
• Part 3: Public Victory teaches us the habits of efficient management and repair.
• Part 4: Renewal teaches us the each day and weekly habits of self-care and self-renewal that enable us to proceed to succeed and develop in our lives.

Although every behavior is effective in itself, I’ve discovered that the e-book undoubtedly works greatest if we go from starting to finish. Every time considered one of my purchasers or college students has run into a drawback and gotten caught, we have discovered that the answer was to return to an thought in Part 1 that the individual ignored, to shield his outdated method of seeing the world. Dr. Covey did a magnificent job of together with each important step, and solely the important steps, all in the precise order. We can make the most of that by studying rigorously and placing his Application Suggestions into observe as we go.

Part I: Character and Habits

Changing Our Character

Most psychologists will let you know that we will not change our character. Yet the reality—and the great news—is that we are able to. It simply takes greater than a superficial effort to do it.

Our character is held in our paradigm, our worldview. And our worldview is deeply unconscious. It governs our perceptions. And it pushes away or trivializes something that will problem it.

Most individuals solely undergo main life adjustments—adjustments of character—as soon as, twice, or a few instances. Getting out of faculty, falling in love, dealing with dying, non secular transformation: that’s about it. But there’s one other method. If we’re open to trying on the lens by means of which we see the world, we are able to heal cracks in that lens. That is the work of deep self-awareness, paradigm shifts, and self-transformation.

Changing Our Habits

Most individuals suppose that habits are onerous to change. And, generally, they’re. Other instances, it is simple. Our use of self-awareness, creativeness, wholesome conscience, and impartial will decide how simple or onerous it’s to let go of outdated, unhealthy habits and create new, efficient ones.

Understanding and Action

If we wish to grow to be more practical, consider we are able to do it, and know the way, we’ll do it. In reality, it’s not a lot a matter of studying how as it’s a matter of unlearning our beliefs that we can not change. All the concepts we’d like to start self-transformation are within the first 62 pages of Seven Habits. But the openness to learn, be taught, and drop outdated concepts, and the willingness to take motion should come from inside ourselves.

Self-transformation is a deep and private journey. As Covey says, “Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”

And, once we do it, no higher reward.

Independence: Discovering Our Dreams and Making Them Real

Habits one, two, and three, which Covey calls the habits of independence, are far more than that. They are a course of for locating our distinctive life function or calling. Let’s take a nearer look. (You can use the link after every bullet to be taught extra in regards to the behavior.)

• Habit 1: Be Proactive doesn’t imply “jump in and get things done,” although might individuals appear to suppose it does. It means to stay really from our personal deepest understanding of life’s ideas and our values.
• Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind calls on our creativeness to take us on a deep journey to uncover what issues most in our lives, what we really need to obtain and contribute, and how much individual we wish to be.
• Habit 3: Put First Things First builds on and challenges all earlier occupied with scheduling. We be taught to create a life the place, week by week, we transfer confidently in the direction of our targets.

Interdependence: Leadership, Influence, and Service

In my expertise, only a few individuals ever develop the independence (observe of the primary three habits) deeply sufficient to solidly interact true interdependence. Lots of individuals speak about win-win, however few get previous the deep us vs. them or me vs. the world mentality.

• Habit 4: Think Win-Win develops the concept the solely relationships value having are people who make everybody concerned higher off.
• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood guides us by means of a wonderful course in listening. It exhibits us how to really drop our personal perspective in order that, as we pay attention, we develop real understanding.guides us by means of a wonderful course in listening. It exhibits us how to really drop our personal perspective in order that, as we pay attention, we develop real understanding.
• Habit 6: Synergize opens the door to the potential of the very best ranges of human cooperation.

I discover my very own life deeply enriched when a shopper or buddy develops interdependence. Two or extra individuals working this manner can create superb artworks and acts of service. This is how we stay transformative lives.

Self-Renewal: Steady and Growing

Knowing all of the habits, alone, does nothing. We want to stay them. More than that, as individuals with our bodies, emotions, ideas, and religious insights, we’d like to maintain ourselves and renew ourselves. In an interview with Zen Habits, Stephen Covey talks about how his day planning is religious prayer and meditation:

Then I’m going into my library and pray with a listening spirit, listening primarily to my conscience whereas I visualize the remainder of my complete day, together with essential skilled actions and key relationships with my family members, working associates and purchasers.

Day planning as a meditation and prayer – now that’s a world away from speeding to test our calendar on the way in which out the door!

The essence of seven Habits is each day. We do much less. We are extra, being current, being true to ourselves, reflecting, searching for perception. We do that each day, and we go deeper week by week. In doing this, we do greater than heal. Through Habit 7, Self-Renewal, we create and serve. And we do greater than create and serve: We grow to be a part of the therapeutic of the world.

Where is 7 Habits in Your Life?

This article is correct and true to the perfect of the creator’s information. Content is for informational or leisure functions solely and doesn’t substitute for private counsel or skilled recommendation in enterprise, monetary, authorized, or technical issues.

Comments

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on March 19, 2013:

Thanks, Ash. I hope this helps you make the 7 Habits extra energetic in your life. Keep an eye fixed out for brand new hubs on Synergy!

Ashwin Kumar Okay V from Karnataka, India on March 19, 2013:

A really good abstract, most of them would’ve lengthy forgotten what they’d have gotten type this e-book, thanks for refreshing the reminiscence! Voted as Useful!

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on January 26, 2013:

Drop me a line and be part of my teaching program, Jim, if you would like!

Jim Miller from Wichita Falls, Texas on January 26, 2013:

Once once more you will have introduced 7 Habits round to my consciousness which strongly suggests the time is nigh for me to interact it.

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on January 05, 2013:

Thank you, Prasadjain! I hope you develop within the 7 Habits.

Dr.S.P.PADMA PRASAD from Tumkur on January 05, 2013:

An excellent hub. I voted ‘helpful’

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on January 05, 2013:

Thanks, Eddy. I took a have a look at your success on HubPages, and I believe I’ve a lot to be taught from you!

Eiddwen from Wales on January 05, 2013:

An exquisite learn which I vote up and share. I now look ahead to so many extra by you.

Have An amazing weekend.

Eddy.

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on December 10, 2012:

Thanks, Gypsy. Rather than “plowing through,” I encourage you to let go, forgive your self, and make a contemporary begin.

We all slip up. We all restart. With 7 Habits, I’ve simply completed going by means of it for the fifth time. I be taught extra every time.

You might discover my different articles on the e-book useful, too.

Gypsy Willow from Lake Tahoe Nevada USA , Wales UK and Taupo New Zealand on December 10, 2012:

Hi Sid. Thanks for the inspirational hub. I shall definitely learn the e-book now. Sometimes it is tough to plow on after a setback however it’s important to do it to obtain success. Seasons greetings to you.

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on December 08, 2012:

Glad you made it! If you want “being present,” make sure to try my articles about Zen, too. And my vacation want for you – might your browser be dependable! : )

Kerry43 on December 07, 2012:

Hi Sid, how are you? Thanks for penning this complete evaluate – I’ve popped open a number of different hyperlinks on the aspect to go learn shortly.

I believe my favourite a part of this hub was the reminder about “being present”. I believe that is among the most important steps to attaining something we do, be it private or in any other case.

I’m glad I made it again right here as we speak. I had your profile loaded yesterday to take a wander by means of your hubs and when my browser crashed I had to take s step again lol.

Kerry:)

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on October 01, 2012:

I look ahead to working with you.

Charlu from Florida on September 30, 2012:

No I have not however am undoubtedly . It feels like one thing that will assist maintain me on monitor, which is at all times a good thing! I’ll electronic mail you. Thanks

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on September 30, 2012:

Thanks, Charlu. Have you ever been a part of a 7 Habits examine group? Email me in the event you’re .

Charlu from Florida on September 30, 2012:

Thank you a lot for reminding me of this e-book and the way it wants to be learn once more, and once more due to the outcomes it helps to carry ahead. Definitely good timing for me particularly when it comes to my morning starting with a LISTENING spirit. Take care and thanks once more.

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on September 28, 2012:

Thank you, Emanate Presence.

I actually like your formulation of each our shadows and our fastened concepts. You say it so merely!

And this profound work is a part of the therapeutic of the world.

Gary R. Smith from the Head to the Heart on September 27, 2012:

Opening to ourselves with love and consciousness is definitely a key. The door that it opens could also be personally outlined. For me, the door leads to the trail of aware evolution. And it does start with self-awareness and self-responsbility. If I select to evolve, I should be keen to let go of fastened concepts and have a look at my shadows as properly. There have been a lot of each over time, corresponding to judging, over-analyzing and changing into numbed by thought, having robust opinions, and so forth. I nonetheless observe to keep away from labelling, evaluating, competing, making use of my values to how others ‘ought to’ be. It is rising extra pure for me to enable, settle for, observe and easily be. I like residing within the Happening and the magic of life. Thank you for sharing the insights you will have gained, Sid.

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on September 19, 2012:

Thank you, Imaginative and prescientAndFocus! You are proper on track. When we beat ourselves up, how can we safely heal the deep and tender pains inside us round disappointment and failure. Let us open to ourselves with love and consciousness.

visionandfocus from North York, Canada on September 18, 2012:

I like the e-book. Reading this hub makes me need to learn it once more. I’ve this saying of his that you simply quoted up on my wall : “Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”

So many individuals beat themselves up once they do not obtain what they meant to. I used to be considered one of them. Now, I realise the significance of being kinder to myself. Self-care actually pays dividends, maybe not in apparent materialistic phrases, however in ways in which really matter. After all, once you feed your soul, you can’t assist however really feel extra serene and shine extra brightly.

Will go on to learn the remaining. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on August 07, 2012:

Thanks, KrisL! May you progress from inspiration into motion and discover the advantages of effectiveness blossom in your life quickly! 😀

KrisL from S. Florida on August 07, 2012:

I’ve discovered this entire set of hubs to be really inspiring.

Thanks, Sid.

Sid Kemp (creator) from Boca Raton, Florida (close to Miami and Palm Beach) on July 26, 2012:

Excellent perception, Claudia! The problem is, partially, that altering a paradigm requires unlearning one thing we all know, and do not even know we all know. That is, we’d like to let go of beliefs we do not know we now have. That is why self-awareness is such a key component. And I discover it important that it’s loving self-awarenes. When we choose ourselves, pondering “what do I have to change?” we solely conceal from ourselves, making change tougher.

Claudia Tello from Mexico on July 26, 2012:

These habits sound like issues we actually ought to work on. Nevertheless, I also can inform that they’re much simpler learn than finished, particularly in what altering our paradigms is worried…. I discover that half at all times the toughest a part of life-changing endeavors: really altering the way in which we take into consideration life, that´s the problem!

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