[BP13 – 7HMC] Mini-course
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Part 1
1 - Background to this mini-course
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It is inspired by American writer, Stephen R Covey’s, now-famous book, ‘The Seven
Habits of Highly Effective People’
Also available is its companion book, authored by Stephen Covey’s son, Sean Covey,
‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens’
Both books are valuable resources for understanding the Seven Habits.
You’ll find the range of books by Stephen and Sean Covey by googling “Stephen
Covey books” and “Sean Covey books”
2 - What to do in ‘Part 1’?
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Read this short paper
Learn how to remember the Seven Habits, in their order (see section 6, below)
Have a short look at your pages in the ‘Teens’ book
Begin to get a ‘feel’ for the seven habits
Do the short assignment (section 9, below)
3 - Why develop the Seven Habits in my life?
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They set a foundation for personal and professional effectiveness in one’s life
They result in increasing productivity in the projects and activities in which we are
involved
They restore balance in one’s lifestyle
They help us develop greater maturity and responsibility
4 - Other reasons for developing the Seven Habits
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They are based on good sense, truth and practical wisdom
They are an excellent framework for self-management and leadership
For Christian believers, the habits are evident in the life, behaviour and decisions of
Jesus Christ, and so they are especially valuable for the development of Christian
leadership
5 - What are the Seven Habits?
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2.
3.
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5.
6.
7.
Be proactive
Begin with the end in mind
Put first things first
Think win - win
Seek first to understand, and then to be understood
Synergize
Sharpen the saw
6 - How to quickly remember them…
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B
B
1-1
W-W
S
S
S
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B
B
1–1
W–
S
S
S
W
Begin with the end in mind
Be proactive
Put First things first
Think Win-Win
Seek first to understand and then to be understood
Synergize
Sharpen the saw
7 - Focus of the habits
 Habits 1, 2 and 3
 Habits 4, 5 and 6
 Habit 7
concern oneself
concern one’s relationships with others
affects all other habits
8 - Two important symbols
 the clock and the compass
 symbolizing the urgent and the important
 especially relevant to the 3rd habit
9 – Assignment
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Ask yourself ‘what is a habit’? – then define this in your own words (not a dictionary
definition), giving a couple of examples of habits in your own life
Why would you wish to develop any or all of the Seven Habits?
Write no more than one page, using your simple letterhead
Identify your document: BP13-7HMC-Part 1-your name
Use this same ID in the subject line of your email
Enjoy your assignment!
Marist Training Resources – BP13 - 7HMC – page 2