In case you haven’t read “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey in awhile, here is the recap (ie- success leaves clues and they all start with habits).
Habit 1: Be Proactive Being proactive means more than taking the initiative, “It means that we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions. Not our conditions.” When we become accountable then we can take charge and start making the changes (ie, new habits).
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. Begin with the image or picture of the end of your life (week or even day) as your frame of reference by which everything is measured. It also means start with a clear understanding of what you want. Figure out where you’re going so that you can get a clear picture of the steps necessary to get there (this so totally makes sense, period)!
Habit 3: Put First Things First. It’s very easy to get caught up in an mouse trap, in the busy-ness of life, to work harder at climbing the ladder of success only to discover it’s leaning against the wrong wall. It is possible to be busy—very busy—without being very effective. You have to set priorities. Get silent for a few minutes each day so that you can gain the clarity around the greater meaning and focus on that above all else.
Habit 4: Think Win/Win. If you help others get what they want then along the way success is going to automatically overflow to you too. If you want others to win then somehow others are going to come forward to help you on your path to win also.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. When both parties are trying to be understood, neither party is really listening because they are focused on their own agenda. By putting ourselves in the shoes of others, we get another perspective and that deepens the connection to them instantly increasing the know, like and trust factor.
Habit 6: Synergize. The highest forms of synergy focus on the combination of all forces working together as one. So much more can be accomplished when unified for the common good of all.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. You are either growing or shrinking, expanding or diminishing. Learning and growing is the ultimate way to become more and ultimately achieve more. Making a habit of reading everyday, listening to audios, and taking new classes on a regular basis helps us fine tune our skills and develop new ones putting us ahead of the crowd.
Bottom line is this thinking has been around for a long time so perhaps it is time to go ALL in!! New habits, rituals, and routines are the answer to every “how” to question that is out there.