7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

1. Be proactive
Pro activity has a lot to do with a person’s “circle of influence”. What you can control,
what you can influence and what is out of your reach. Pro activity is strongly related to
acknowledging your own responsibility and influence. The first big step that has to be
taken is the step from dependence to independence. Here you will begin to determine
your own life by using your own agenda. You are aware of the fact that you are the
architect of your own life (habit 1 of the seven habits of highly effective people) and with
this knowledge you set to work.

2. Begin with the end in Mind

This is the habit of vision, objectives, and mission. Beginning with the end in mind
means that when you make decisions today you consistently take into consideration
what you stand for ‘in general’. Habit 2 has to do with the principles and guidelines you
choose to live by. You determine what you find important in life, what you stand for,
what you want to accomplish.

3. Put first things first

This habit has to do with integrity, discipline, sticking to your agreements. What is life
about, and how do you wish to shape your own life? Knowing this, you will get to work
pro-actively while setting the right priorities. The second big step is that of
independence to (self-selected) interdependence.

4. Think win-win
This is the habit of the Paradox. Temptation is strong to think in terms of winning OR
losing- or wanting to be right. The trick is to recognize that a paradox provides an
opportunity to unite the poles. You will be independent but at the same time you realize
that you can accomplish more by cooperating with other people. You know what you are
worth, but you also realize that you need the other person and that it is important to give
and receive love. You can accomplish this by thinking in terms of win-win. In case of
conflicts you will always search for solutions that are fair to all parties and in which there
are no losers.

5. Seek first to understand then to be understood

Concentrate first on understanding the other person and then put energy into being
understood. This is the habit of listening, one of the basic qualities of a leader or a
coach.
6. Synergize
The sixth habit of the seven habits of highly effective people, that is required to achieve
interdependence is synergizing. This means that your approach is fundamentally
based on respect, cooperation and trust. This is the habit of strengthening the pitfall is
compromise. The objective is to find the third path: how can two paradoxes be
combined into something better?

7. Sharpen the saw

The last, seventh habit of the seven habits of highly effective people is maintenance.
This is the habit that tells you that you are improving yourself and perseverance. By
taking plenty of exercise, rest, meditation, etcetera, you will keep your body, mind,
relationships and spirituality in balance.