This week I want to talk about books that changed my life, and the next book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

As a new business owner I was getting overcome with the amount of demands I had for my time – I could only see one solution – work longer and harder. My business coach at the time recommend that I read this book.

A warning – it is not an easy read, but it is dense with strategies and tactics that you can use to be more effective at work and in your life.

So, what are my key learnings from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People?

• Put first things first – if you start with the small things you only ever have time for the big things, I plan my day around the important meetings and tasks I need to get done – the result is I get a lot of important work done
• Seek first to understand then to be understood – This was the first book I read about personal development, it introduced me to the concept of how we are all different and communicate differently.
• Sharpen the saw – taking time out to relax and renew is important. As a task focused person doing “nothing” can feel like a waste of time. I have learnt how to do “noting” and renew my energy.
• People can’t be time bound – we can be efficient with tasks but not with people. When dealing with people you take the time it takes to build trust, understanding and cooperation – if you rush relationships with people trying to fit them into a set time it doesn’t work.

Have you read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? What was your favourite lesson from the book?

13th October 2021