Our world puts a lot of emphasis on success. But what is success exactly? I believe it is your ability to reach your full potential. So, in fact, there is no universal definition, it depends on each individual.
However, one thing is certain, to be able to be proud of yourself and your accomplishments, whatever they are, whether they pertain to your family, romantic, professional or social life, you need to take the means to become the best that you can be.In a book called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey describes the characteristics necessary to achieve success, suggesting that there are some absolute principles that exist in all human beings. Some examples of such principles are fairness, honesty, integrity, human dignity, quality, potential, and growth.
In order to achieve success, he believes that you need to first become independent and then learn to accept the interdependence aspect of life.
For him, to become interdependent, one first must be independent, since dependent people have not yet developed the character for interdependence. Therefore, the first three habits focus on self-mastery, that is, achieving the private victories required to move from dependence to independence. Habits 4, 5, and 6 then address interdependence. Finally, the seventh habit is one of renewal and continual improvement.
Here are Covey's seven habits:
Habit 1 - Be proactive
This is the ability to make decisions no matter your environment, to take control of your life instead of being controlled by external events.
Habit 2 - Begin with the end in mind
Covey calls this the habit of personal leadership - leading yourself that is, towards your goals. It is the ability to develop those goals according to your personal principles and to know where you are heading. It's much easier to be motivated if you know what result you want to achieve.
Habit 3 - Put first things first
Covey calls this the habit of personal management. This is about organizing and implementing activities in line with the goals established in habit 2. It is the ability to prioritize your time according to your goals.
Habit 4 - Think win-win
Covey calls this the habit of interpersonal leadership. He deems cooperative efforts as being necessary for any type of achievement. He believes you should always seek agreements and relationships that are mutually beneficial.
Habit 5 - Seek first to understand and then to be understood
This is Covey's habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful. Covey helps to explain this in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'. Simple and effective, it is essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life.
Habit 6 - Synergize
Covey says this is the habit of creative cooperation. Everyone's contribution is beneficial. It is based on the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its part. Through mutual trust and understanding, you can often go much further than by using only your ideas and energy.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the saw
Covey divides the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing. He believes you need to take time out from production to build production capacity and create balance in your life.
Covey gives an interesting insight on how to reach your full potential. We have one life (unless reincarnation exists), so why not try to become the best you can be. I don't know if applying Covey's 'habits' can really get you there, but I do know that constantly trying to improve yourself can only help.
Transformation takes time and whether you decide to implement these changes or other ones you deem better, patience is one of the most important qualities you will need to have.
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