Stephen Covey: The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People

Habit one says that you are the creator, that you are in charge of your own life.

Habit Two: Begin With The End In Mind
Start out with a clear idea on your destination. It is about having a clear vision and explicit objectives based on clear values and principles.

Habit two says that a vital part of taking control of your own life is being clear on where you are heading.

Habit Three: Put First Things First
This is about learning how to manage your time and your resources in a way that is focused on your key goals and maximises your productive capacity. It is about knowing what to say 'Yes' to and what to say 'No' to.

Habit three is about organising yourself to make it happen.

Habit Four: Think Win-Win
Approach all discussions and negotiations determined to achieving a winning outcome and mutual satisfaction for both parties or agree that there is 'No Deal'. Apply this philosophy to improve relationships with customers, colleagues, friends and family.

Habit four is about being willing to give as much as you want to get and about keeping the commitments you make.

Habit Five: Seek First To Understand, Then Be Understood
Enhance the relationships with others in every sphere of your life by taking the time and effort to listen to them, understand their perspective and appreciate their needs. Once they feel they have been understood they become more open and receptive to what you have to say.

Habit five is about developing empathy.

Habit Six: Synergise
Value, enjoy and respect the differences between people. Find ways to work more effectively with people and strengthen team working so that better quality decisions are taken and higher quality work done. Work to increase organisational unity and reduce rivalry.

Habit six is about believing that a group of people who believe in each other and are open to learn from each other can collectively agree to abandon old scripts and write new ones.

Habit Seven: Sharpen The Saw
This is about balancing what you have to do today to achieve outcomes with what you have to do to improve your longer term potential. It is about developing the personal tools to become more physically, mentally, socially and emotionally fit for your purpose.

Habit seven simply says carry on learning.