This guide belongs to 100 Ways To Be Being Remarkable Series, a special project that brings you business and self-development advice from The Success Manual.

THE MOST IMPORTANT WORDS
The six most important words are “I admit I made a mistake.”
The five most important words are “You did a good job.”
The four most important words are “What is your opinion?”
The three most important words are “If you please.”
The two most important words are   “Thank you”.
The least important word is “I”.

Simplistic thinking, relying on labels, assumptions and stereotypes will lead us down blind alleys.

THE 7 HABITS OF EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

Habit 1: Be Proactive: Principles of Personal Vision
The ability to control one's environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case. Self determination, choice, and the power to decide response to stimulus, conditions and circumstances

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind: Principles of Personal Leadership
Leading oneself that is, towards what you consider your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful.

Habit 3: Put First Things First: Principles of Personal Management
The habit of personal management. This is about organizing and implementing activities in line with the aims established in habit 2. Habit 2 is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation.

Habit 4: Think Win/Win: Principles of Interpersonal Leadership
The habit of interpersonal leadership, necessary because achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. Win-win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone, and that success follows a co-operative approach more naturally than the confrontation of win-or-lose.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
The habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful - 'diagnose before you prescribe'. Simple and effective, and essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life

Habit 6: Synergize: Principles of Creative Communication
The habit of creative co-operation - the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal
The habit of self renewal. It necessarily surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to happen and grow. Covey interprets the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing.

- Summary of Steven Covey, ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’

The 8th Habit
Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.

- Presented in a subsequent book 'The 8th Habit' by Steven Covey

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