The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

I'd like to start this post off by saying thank you to those of you who read my first introduction post. There is so much more to my story as an entrepreneur and topics to expand on that it's hard to cover in one post, but I will aim to do so over the progression of this blog. 

One of the biggest themes that I have seen in entrepreneurs is their curiosity and longing to educate themselves. Often times this is done through reading, watching videos and attending seminars / networking events. These are all beneficial and necessary learning avenues that I will cover individually. 

To start, let's talk about the importance of reading. Reading non-fiction books on self-help, business and psychology are a great place to start to expand your knowledge and foster a logical perspective. But, don't rule out fiction writing as it is important to nurture your creative side and allow you brain to take a break from always processing analytical information. More on this mindset balance later. 

One of the most important and popular books I have found is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. This self-help writing is a great tool for anyone starting in the business world--whether it be as a business owner, someone entering the workforce or someone looking to expand their productivity with a systematic, scientific method. 

The Seven Habits:

Be Proactive - Foresight. Can it be taught? Is it a natural ability? Having the ability to see situations and possible outcomes is a very powerful skill. It allows you to anticipate outcomes and plan your strategies before they even happen. Never let things hit the fan before it's too late. 

Begin with the End in Mind - One of the first things you can ask yourself is, "What is my goal?" To be the most productive, you will want to establish your goal to know where you are headed and how to plan your steps to get there. A tool that helps me is creating a vision board for the lifestyle that I want to live. I have to be honest with myself on what would make me happy and visualize it. Then I can start putting some numbers and timelines to it for an effective, realistic way to make it a reality. 

Put First Things First - The road to success is a lonely one. That is probably not the first time you have heard that and it's very true. How you prioritize your time will make a huge difference. It is very true that your environment is a key determiner in your habits. It is also very true that we become the average of those we associate with most. It is not popular opinion, but you can absolutely demand more from the people in your life. Raise your standards for your highest self and allow those into your circle. You can no longer have room for disrespect and not being a priority. You will have enough on your plate then to worry about mistreatment. Put first things first. 

Think Win-Win - In business, consider playing the long game. Longterm, clean, ethical business is always the slowest way to build, but often times the ones that stand the test of time. Build systems where everyone wins and you can develop growth at an exponential curve versus a fad. 

Seek First to Understand, Then be Understood - You have to understand the problem to its entirety to provide the best possible solution. Ask more questions, try to be thoughtful and truly solve a problem. Often times, customers will tell you exactly what your business will be, you have to train your ear to listen. Once you can identify the true problem, you can build your solutions. 

Synergize - Two heads is better than one. Find a good support system to brainstorm and bounce ideas around. Some of the best ideas I've heard came from people who were experts in another field. This is because they are approaching your problem with a different perspective which can add value and innovation to your idea. It never hurts to seek an outside perspective. 

Sharpen the Saw - Your tools are always the best when they are brand new and sharp. The same goes for you with your body and mindset. Show up for yourself by being consistent with your workouts and continuing to practice your skills. You are your best asset. You are your best tool. Make it a priority to keep yourself sharp. 

Implementing these seven habits is a great foundation to personal development in any aspect of your life. This is a great summary of the 7 habits, but I would not say this is a replacement to reading the book as there is much more fruitful information to obtain from its entirety. 

Find the full copy at your local library, kindle or download a verbal version on the audible app.

Thanks for sharing this space,

Erica