Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers - Sean Covey

Sean Covey is the son of Stephen Covey who wrote the bestselling book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' which is a gem. Sean brings the same 7 principles to teens with an easily engaging language, relatable examples and humorous illustrations.

The 7 habits are divided into 1) The Private Victory (personal habits) 2) The Public Victory (inter-personal habits) and 3) Renewal

The Private Victory
1) Be Proactive 
This essentially means that we must take responsibility for what happens to us instead of waiting for things to happen. If we let things happen to us, we must take what's given to us. But if we choose to be proactive and make things happen, a lot of things are set in motion and we lead a more empowered life instead of leading a helpless existence.
The key is action.

2) Begin with the end in mind 
When we begin with a clear end, we find ways to get there which may not show up if we start from where we are. For example if we start making a plan to travel with how much money we have in our pockets, we may not go far. However, if we begin with the end, let's say we want to travel to the Himalayas, we will find a way to get there. 
The key is to not let your current resources limit your vision and instead start with the grandest vision you want to achieve.

3) First things first 
An incredible habit that will ramp up the amount of work we do 10x times. Covey helps us to differentiate between important and urgent work and then, to do the important work as seriously as we do urgent work. It is the important work that takes us forward and it is that which we normally postpone because we cannot see much progress there on a daily basis. Check out Stevphen Covey's matric on this.
The key is to do the first things first, or the most important things first instead of filling your life with unimportant stuff.

The Public Victory 
4) Think Win-Win
This is a gamechanger where we don't look to profit at the cost of another and instead look to find win-win solutions where everyone benefits. Its a big shift from the lack-thinking where one looked to benefit at another's cost.
The key is to be secure, arrive at a win-win solution mutually, and build strong bonds of trust.

5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood
This is the first rule of communication. Instead of rushing in with insecurity and trying to push our agenda forward without even understanding what the others are trying to say, the idea is to first listen to the others' viewpoint and understand what they are trying to say. This will enable others to feel heard and feel secure. Then you can put your point across until the other person understands you. This habit will ensure good communication and makes things very efficient.
The key is to build a secure space for communication for everyone. You can take the leadership position and listen first.

6) Synergise
In the most simple terms it means that 2+2 +5. A fine example that Sean gives is the way the Chinese or the Taoists choosing the middle path - which is not aa compromise, but the peak that can be achieved between two viewpoints as in the third angle of a triangle. I found that illustration brilliant.
The key is to seek solutions that maximise the benefits accruing out of any interaction.

Renewal 
7) Sharpen the Saw 
The idea is to continuously sharpen the saw so it does not get blunt, and your efficiency increases. reading books, developing habits, making mew empowering relationships are all part of the sharpening process.
The key is to continuously improve.

The 7 habits are brilliant and if one were to take a questionnaire based on these habits, we would know where we are slipping. Fine book for teens to read and discuss and practice.



1 comment:

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