The Seven Habits

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Reflection: Being a proactive person is the first thing one should be before even thinking of unlocking any other habit. By being proactive one can be prepared of any negativity coming their way. Pro activity can help one overcome any given obstacle. When one is proactive others can rapidly consider you as a person who is determined with everything, and a person who is responsible. On the other hand, some people do not choose in being proactive, instead they choose to be a reactive person. When one is reactive they do not think things through thoroughly. For Example, when proactive people get upset their temper starts to rise until they explode. But proactive have many other great outcomes. Instead of proactive people acting all wild, they actually  stop and try to come up with a way to resolve the situation. In conclusion proactive people are most likely the people who are going to do great and wonderful things in life,simply because they think things thoroughly and know how to handle any obstacle, as well as overcome it.

The proactive approach to a mistake is to acknowledge it instantly, correct and learn from it.

Stephen Covey

I will apply this to myself by being responsible, ad trying to overcome any given obstacle.

Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind

Reflection: I believe this is very important, due to the fact that once you begin with the end in mind you start to envision yourself in the future and actually start to plan out how you want to end up. When you begin with the end in mind you show an act of independence because your basically already trying to control your own destiny, in a positive way. When you start beginning with the end in mind, you automatically start to get some positive encouragement, not only to be something great in the future, but to make yourself proud. On the other hand,if you do not even bother to look ahead in your future it shows how little interest you have in it. For example, I am almost always thinking about my future, due to the fact that, that encourages me to try harder not only in my school work but myself too. If I were another person that really doesn't care about their education or most importantly about their self, it's most likely that I won't have a good future as any other could have. In conclusion, one should always try their best in the present because once you start to envision your future you'll want to do many other things that will only make your future even greater.

"Control your own destiny or someone else will."

(Jack Wilch)

I will apply this to my life, by always having goals, and actually focusing on them,and envisioning how I will feel.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Reflection: What this habit means is that one should always do things that are truly important rather than putting things first even though their are not as important. When you put first things first it rapidly shows how responsible of a person you are. I believe that if you put first things first it helps you by being a well organized person, and it helps you accomplish you task quickly. Some people especially teenagers tend to put first things last, meaning they leave important thing like homework until the last minute, and do things that really don't matter first. I personally believe I actually put first things first as everyone is expected to. I am the kind of person that wants to get all the tasks done so I wont be worrying about it later. Since I do that rather than be on my phone, watch T.V, and/or hang out with my friends I've been able to accomplish many things, like having very good grades. When you put first things first you are able to finish your task quickly as well as later on not worrying about anything else. Moreover, once you have accomplished your priorities you'll feel way better than actually waiting to accomplish them last minute.

"Organize and execute around priorities."

I will apply this to my life, by always doing things that truly matter first, because I know later on it will be worth it.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Reflection: This is a very important act one should do constantly throughout the whole day, if one really wants succeed. This means that one should always think positive, if one actually want to succeed, because when you think negative it is most likely for you to fail on whatever you are doing that moment. When you think positive all you are doing is spreading good vibes as well as hyping your self up; which in fact is something very important and great. For example, I actually have a basketball game on Thursday which I'm very exited to attend yet very nervous. Something I am doing to get myself more confident is that I am actually saying in mind that we will win. To me this is a very good strategy, because instead of saying that I am going to loose, or simply start thinking negative we may even loose. When someone thinks negative, you spread negative vibes around you, and surprisingly it is actually more likely for one to fail. On the other hand when someone think positive throughout the whole day you actually have a chance to succeed in something, or simply have a good day. In conclusion, if someone wants to succeed in something or simply wants to have a great day, we should always and at all times think positive.

"Think Win-Win"

I will apply this to myself by always thinking positive and always spreading positivity.

Habit 5: Seek first to understand then to be understood
Reflection: If one wants to understand others one should be interested in the other person, because if your not all you are doing is wasting your time as well as your spending theirs. One can not just understand others if you do not have time to know them.One way in which you can understand someone is by listening carefully. When others see how interested you are in them and how much you understand them they'll try to do the same.I believe that if one wants to be understood you should understand the other person, because then you seem as if you juts care about yourself not others. First, one should be able to do things that you will want others to do back to you. If you want others to understand you and you do not bother to understand them, you'll be seem as a person that wants all the attention to themselves. Many people tend to care about themselves first than to think about others. I believe this is something us people should change, due to the fact that, that simply makes us selfish people.

"Diagnose before you prescribe."

I will apply this to myself by paying close attention to what others need to say rather than just be a selfish person.

Habit 6: Synergize
Reflection:  Sometimes one needs to work together as well as cooperate together in order to accomplish something important faster or easier. Some people find it difficult working alone, because one needs  more and different ideas from others. Many people do not like working as a team;feeling as if they are just a distraction. In my opinion once we work as a team one is to choose the most dedicated and hard working people. Believe it or not when someone works with others one is able to recognize how helpful the are and how the ideas and creativity expands. When one works with others you accomplish you goal faster and it can even make it seem easier. For example, at school when we get group project depending on your team you actually do better, than if you were to do it alone. I believe that working together is always better than working alone but it also depends on the type of team you have.

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts"

(1+1=3)

I will apply this to my life by receiving help from others to simply accomplish my goals faster and easier.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Reflection:  I believe that "sharpen the saw" means to accelerate yourself towards your goals. When you sharpen the saw I feel that it is trying to encourage you  to do better than before. Some ways I believe one can sharpen the saw is by challenging themselves and pushing themselves onto success. I believe that by challenging yourself that is one way in which you can sharpen the saw physically. A way in which I believe you can sharpen the saw mentally is by reading and simply adding more knowledge to your own brain. To sharpen the saw spiritually I believe one can pray or simply write down what they feel. Finally I also believe one can sharpen the saw socially and emotionally by talking to others more often or even sharing your feelings. In conclusion, sharpening the saw  to me signifies an ac of doing more and better to what you are already used to.

I will apply this to myself by making myself be involved with the world and by always trying to explore and do better than what I actually do.

Overall Reflection: In my opinion, I strongly believe that the seven habits are something everyone should follow and actually do themselves. Once someone try's to incorporate these 7 habits to themselves, one is able to accomplish many great things.  These habits can encourage you to try many things you've never done before. These habits can help everyone develop many new strategies in which can lead them to success. I believe that if one actually follows all seven habits one is able to create a path full happiness and success. Once you follow these seven habits you will definitely show your success with others. When you do that and others see how great you are doing, you'll  encourage others to follow your steps. Once people start to admire you and try to do the same as you, success as well as these 7 habits will basically become a chain. In conclusion, if one wants to be successful and be happy one should really consider in following the 7 habits.

I will apply this to myself by taking responsible decsions and trying to oversome every given obsticle

How to Win Friends and Influence People

"Six Ways to Make People Like You"

Rule 1.Become genuinely interested on other people. 

Reflection: It is very important to care and hear from other people, because if you are just interested on yourself the other people will one way or another try to get away from you. If you want to get a friend or get people to like you, you have to ask questions about them so you can get to know them, because if you only talk about yourself they will automatically think of you as a coincided person. You also have to think if you would like to be treated the same way, because I can assure you that no one wants to sit and hear about all the others people’s life and you not even saying a word. If you actually try to follow this rule people will see what kind of kind person you are. Although some people are interested in others life you actually have to have a heart while you’re hearing the person talk because some people act as if they care when in reality peoples words come in through one ear and come out through the other. In some point in life everyone should realize that life isn’t just about you, and that the best way to know someone is by carefully listening to them.  For example, every time I meet someone knew I don’t like talking as much. I usually let them do all the talking, but later on once I get to know them better I like to talk too. All the friends I have so far usually don’t like to talk about themselves a lot and we usually just share common interest and talk about that. In my opinion, a true friendship is talking about one another not just about one person. 

"You can make more friends in 2 months by becoming interested in other people than you can in 2 years by trying to get other people interested in you.” 

 

I will apply this in my life, by listening to others more and more, because that's one great and easy way to earn friends.

Rule 2: Smile 

1. “Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, “I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you.” 

2. “You don’t feel like smiling? Then force yourself to smile.” 

3. “It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign (witness or indication) of friends.” 

Reflection: Smiling is truly something that can brighten your day or someone else’s day. When other people see a smile from you, you automatically send positive vibes towards them. When you smile it shows what kind of person you are and many people will say you’re friendly and would like to get to know you. If you want people to get a good impression of you when you don’t know them, the best thing to do is smile, because if you don’t some people will not talk to you, due to the fact that they don’t know how you are. As you wake up you have to be determined to be positive all day so your day would be positive as well, and one way to do that is by putting a smile on your face. If you see other people with a smile on their face you’ll feel that urge to smile to and just by that little gesture you’ll day will turn rapidly into a great day. For example, at school I usually seem serious but when I see other people smile at me I can’t help but smile back. As I walk down the hallway many people must think I’m such a serious person due to my face expressions. But once someone smiles at me I smile back to show that I’m friendly and positive. In conclusion, every time you wake up early in the morning you have to remember to always keep that beautiful smile on. 

I will apply this to my life by always keeping a smile in order to get positive vibes around me.

Rule 3: Remember names 

1. “A man’s name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” 

2. “If you don’t remember names, you are headed for trouble.” 

Reflection: It is very important for someone to remember others name because to me it shows how true of a friend you are. If you don’t remember someone’s name you rapidly make the other person indicate you as a person that truly just doesn’t care. When you talk to someone that’s usually something everyone tells each other, and that to me is sort of a responsibility for you to remember someone’s name because that shows how much you actually listened to the other person. By doing so you don’t only know who you’re talking to but you also get to learn more about the other person. Moreover, you get to show how good of a character you have. For example, when I meet someone new I always ask for their name and tell them mine. The reason I do this is, because I know that one day Ill wand to talk to them and need their help and I just don’t want to call them by, “Aye you” or anything similar to that, because I don’t want to sound rude. In conclusion, everyone should remember each other’s name because it can honestly tell a lot about that one person. I mean it’s common to forget someone name once or twice but you should be able to know it on the long run. 

 

I will apply this to my life by listening to others carefully and showing an act of interest to everyone. 

How to remember names… 

1. Face Association: Try to remember that one person’s face and find some qualities or features that’ll help you remember them. 

2. Repetition: Repeat the name often and try to use it more often. 

3. Make Connections: Try to find something in common; which can late on actually make you become very great friends. 

4. Speak Up: If you didn’t get their name don’t be afraid to ask for their name or repeat it. 

5.  Spell It Out: Write it down or anything will help you sound out the name in order for it come out good when you actually talk to that person. 

Rule 4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk  about themselves. 

1. “If you aspire to be a good conversationalist, be an attentive listener.” 

2. “Remember that the man you are talking to is a hundred times more interested in himself and his wants and his problems than he is in you and your problems. 

Reflection: Being a good listener is very important, because other people automatically consider you as a good attentive person. It is very important to listen to others because not only do you show an act of respect, but you get to learn and hear many new things. By listening to others you can believe it or not gain more knowledge. In a conversation you should always encourage the other person to talk about themselves. This will help you get to know the other person better, and the other person will consider you a great friend and /or conversationalist. Usually when you don’t listen to others, you will rapidly be considered a selfish person, which I know nobody would like that. In life everyone would love to have someone to talk to too, so that the reason everyone should be able to listen to others, because you know you want to be treated that way. This act of listening to others should follow everyone in their life, due to the fact that there’s going to be one point in life that’ll you’ll have to listen to theirs, for example in school or any important interviews. In conclusion, listing to others and actually caring for what the other person has to say, is honestly the key in getting new friends and knowledge.  

I will apply this to my life, because I would like someone to do the same to me, because I know everyone on this earth needs at least one person to care and listen to them. 

5 Active Listening Tips:

1. Stay focused 
2. Really listen
3. Allow for periods of silence
4. Repeat the others person words or paraphrase them afterwords
5. Understand the emotions behind the words