The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

A presentation by Curtis Cunningham

2005.10.18

Habit 1 -- Be ProactivePrinciples of Personal Vision

• Self-awareness enables us to stand apart and examine the way we see ourselves.

• Proactive people are driven by carefully considered, selected and internalized values.

• Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence.

Problems fall in one of three areas:

• Direct control: problems involving our own behavior.

• Indirect control: problems involving the behavior of others.

• No control: problems we can do nothing about.

Habit 2 -- Begin with the End in MindPrinciples of Personal Leadership

• Begin with the image of the end result as the frame of reference by which everything else is measured.

• Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.

• Leadership is planning ahead

Habit 3 -- Put First Things FirstPrinciples of Personal Management

• Integrity is the value we place on ourselves.

• Urgent matters are usually visible, they insist on action, they are easy and fun to do.

• Schedule your priorities don't prioritize what's on your schedule.

• Management is getting things done to plan

Habit 4 -- Think Win/WinPrinciples of Interpersonal Leadership

• Agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial

• Relationships. Courtesy, respect and appreciation for the other person and his point of view.

• Determine what results would constitute a fully acceptable solution.

Habit 5 -- Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Principles of Empathic Communication

• Communication is the most important skill in life

• Diagnose before you prescribe is a correct principle in many areas of life.

• Habit 5 is right in the middle of your circle of influence. You can always seek first to understand.

Habit 6 -- SynergizePrinciples of Creative Communication

• Synergy. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

• Many people don't realize that the real strength of any relationship is having alternative points of view.

Habit 7 -- Sharpen the SawPrinciples of Balanced Self-Renewal

• Physical: Involves caring effectively for our physical body.

• The spiritual dimension is your core, your center, your commitment to your value system.

• Reading good literature on a regular basis is a good way to renew your mind. Keeping a journal of our thoughts, experiences, and insights is also beneficial.

• The social area of our lives is primarily developed in our relationships with others.

• Take time for yourself.