8/10/07
7 Habits is a tremendous life changing book that spells out the common
sense of living well and being happy. The idea is that habits based on
principals fit everywhere and drive to the core of what we would all
aspire to be. Simply summarized as "Make and keep promises and involve
others in a problem and work together to solve it.
As all the habits are applied the concept of Production vs. Production
Capacity is kept in mind. The balance between producing and improving
the machine that produces is key. This can be applied you one's self, a
business, a relationship, etc. So learn, develop (PC), and do (P).
The book, and habits really, are divided into two parts: 1-3 is
developing independence and creating a private victory (with ones self)
and 4-6 are about reaching interdependence and creating a public victory
(with a team). The last habit is about renewal.
First, one must define who they are. Habit 1 is to Be Proactive, decide
what you want to be and take action. Once you have created that, Habit
2 is to Begin with the End in Mind. That is, make the plan, write a
personal mission statement. This is the leadership step, how do achieve
what is really important, what does the end look like? Once you have
that, you're ready for Habit 3, Put First Things First. It is the idea
of prioritizing your day to day life. The management step. Developing
relationships is important, but not urgent and it is often neglected.
Naturally, there should be focus here instead of interruptions that are
"urgent." These first three steps liberate you from being dependent on
other people and value yourself and your time.
Once a platform of independence is established the quest for
interdependence begins. These habits rely on developing productive
relationships with everyone: in business, at home, etc. Habit 4 is
Think Win/Win. How can a solution be found that everyone feels good
about? You don't want to get walked on, but if everyone can win
relationships are strengthened and production increases. A caveat to
this is Win/Win or No Deal. In some situations, if a Win/Win solution
cannot be found, it might be best for both parties to walk away. Part
of getting to a Win/Win solution is Habit 5, Seek First to Understand,
then be Understood. To truly listen to someone and understand their
point of view is essential to effective relationships. To stop and
listen and understand is obviously very hard especially when people
think they are right or are passionate. Once Habit 5 is achieved, the
relationship is prepared for Habit 6, Synergize. Synergy is defined as
the whole being greater than its parts. 1+1=3. Once both parties
understand one and other and the foundations of the situation and
appreciated by all the group can come together to find new ideas and
growth that would have been otherwise unobtainable.
Habit 7 is to Sharpen the Saw. Taking time to develop once physical,
mental, spiritual, and Social/Emotional dimensions. Through this, the
study of the habits begins anew.
Following and implementing these habits is no small task, but striving
to do so is rewarding everyday. From developing a mission statement to
writing down goals to define one's self reveals endless possibilities.
Then, to have synergistic interaction may be, quite simply, the point.
