By D. Chandramouli

Habits are patterns of behavior composed of three overlapping components, knowledge (we know what to do), skill (we know how to do) and attitude (we want to do). These are learned rather than inherited. We are not current habits. Habits of effectiveness can be learned and habits of ineffectiveness unlearned.

The 7 habits are inter-related, independent and sequential. Every habit is a paradigm shift. The first three are habits of character which help us achieve the daily private victory and progress from a state of dependence to independence. The next three are the outward expressions of character that lead to interdependence, mutual benefit and public victories. The 7th habit renews and sustains the growth process.

Habit 1: Be Proactive – Habit of personal vision – means taking responsibility for our attitudes and action. We are the programmer. Our behavior should be governed by correct principles and we should live in harmony with them. Proactive people produce results. Reactive people produce excuses or explanations. When we are reactive, we are controlled by circumstances.

Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind – Habit of personal leadership. – writing personal mission statement for making future decisions. So, we write the program.

Habit 3: Put First Things First – Habit of personal management – organizing and managing time and events around priorities, busy on quadrant 2 of time management.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win – Habit of interpersonal leadership, having abundance mentality for seeking mutual benefit, with a win-win perception.

Habit 5: Seek First To Understand. Then To Be Understood – Habit of communication, exercising empathy and seeking to first understand the point of view of the other person.

Habit 6: Synergize – Habit of creativity – creative cooperation or teamwork, not looking for compromises but seeking third alternatives.

Habit 7: Sharpen the saw – Habit of self-renewal – focusing on all four physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions.