Habit 1: Be Proactive

This habit is the ability to control one’s environment, rather than have it control you.  It is about self-determination, choice, and the power to decide your response to stimulus, conditions, and circumstances.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

This is the habit of personal leadership-leading oneself towards your goals by developing the habit of focus and concentration on relevant activities.  By focusing on your goals, you will avoid distractions and become more productive and successful. 

Habit 3: Put First Things First

This is the habit of personal management.  This habit is about organizing and implementing activities in line with the goals you have set in Habit 2.  Dr. Covey states that Habit 2 is the mental creation and Habit 3 is the physical creation of those goals. 

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

This is the habit of interpersonal leadership.  This habit is necessary because achievements are largely dependent on working together with others.  Win-Win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone and success follows a cooperative approach more naturally than a confrontation of win-or-lose. 

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

This is the habit of communication.  It is extremely powerful.  When we listen to other people’s ideas and feelings we can better understand others’ perspectives and when we can express our own thoughts and feelings we can connect with others.

Habit 6: Synergize

This is the habit of cooperation.  The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, meaning that valuing other people’s strengths and by teaming with others, we can create a better solution than any one of us alone. 

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

This is the habit of self-renewal.  It surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to grow.  Self-renewal encompasses four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and social/emotional.  All areas need feeding and developing.