"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is a business and self-help book written by Steven Covey and published in 1989. Since its release, it's been a best-selling book for schools, businesses, and people looking to be better in all aspects of life. It has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. The tips Covey outlines in his book can be applied in many a situation, though, and not just in the workplace. The book simply implies habits for people to adapt if they wish to become a more effective and wholesome person. Contrary to popular belief, these steps can be applied anywhere in life -- especially in college where young people deal with adversity and struggle on a daily basis. I'm going to break down each habit for those in the back who don't feel like actually reading the book. I get it.
Habit No. 1: Be proactive.
This basically goes to say that you need to take responsibility for your own life. Stop looking for people or circumstances to blame for your issues, and deal with it yourself. In college, it's easy to find reasons to be annoyed and upset. I know this feeling all too well. But instead of wasting time finding imaginary excuses, we can be proactive and find and accomplish solutions. "Instead of reacting to or worrying about conditions over which they have little or no control, proactive people focus their time and energy on things they can control." Be proactive, not reactive.
Habit No. 2: Begin with the end in mind.
As college students, we are constantly asked what we want to be in life. Seriously ... that's like all we're asked. You hear answers like "nurse," "business consultant" or the occasional "writer." Having these aspirations is great, but what are you right now? Are you the person you want to be? Like we learned in the first habit, be proactive, do what you need to do to be successful, get it done. Your future self will thank you.
Habit No. 3: Put first things first.
A tad redundant, but an important lesson nonetheless. The third habit suggests living a more balanced life. Not doing everything that comes along the way is OK. Focus on your priorities -- your purpose, values, roles, and responsibilities -- and anything else you accomplish is just adding on to those. Find what "first things" are, and never forget them.
Habit No. 4: Think win-win.
A win-win is more than just a compromise; it's a winning situation for all those involved. Nothing should have to be given up, just negotiated. It's not about being nice or getting the quickest and easiest thing done. Instead of comparing and contrasting competing situations, find one that makes you truly happy.
Habit No. 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
We spend years learning to read, write, and speak correctly. But what about listening? How are we expected to live full, enriched lives if we're never taught how to understand people. This habit seeks to teach people to listen before speaking. How can one truly understand someone if they have their own ideas and impulses first in mind? The act of listening can be especially crucial to students looking to get hired out of college.
Habit No. 6: Synergize.
Simply put, synergy means that "two heads are better than one." This is true in most cases. However, the sixth habit encourages creative cooperation. Diversity is one of the most important things in a group, whether it be personal or business. "When people begin to interact together genuinely, and they're open to each other's influence, they begin to gain new insight."
Habit No. 7: Sharpen the saw.
All this habit says is to take care of the most important thing before all else -- you. In order to live a wholesome and fruitful life, you must be in good care. This tackles all aspects of life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. This can mean simply eating healthy, or spending time in nature, or reading a book every now and then. No use in improving yourself just to have it go to waste, right?
Applying these habits to your everyday life can change the way you go about doing things that once seemed so second nature. With the immense popularity the book received, it's got to have some accurate points, so you might as well give it a shot.
