Do you procrastinate?  Is it difficult for you to ‘get motivated’? Well, you’re not alone – it’s a common problem for many entrepreneurs and one that many of you would like to resolve.

It was a sad day last week when I read this notice:

‘Stephen R. Covey, author of the best-selling motivational book ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People” died at an Idaho hospital from injuries he suffered in a bicycle accident in April ……he was 79.”

I have studied Stephen Covey’s work for over 20 years and have applied the principles of time management that he taught so well.

That is one of the keys to success – implementing what you learn – personally applying the information, and not just intellectually ‘knowing’ it. This article is a tribute to Mr. Stephen Covey and the key concepts that he wanted all of us to grasp in order to live our best life.

Habit No. 1 – Be Proactive! (your life doesn’t just happen)

This is a key lesson for entrepreneurs as well – your business ‘doesn’t just happen’. Be proactive and create a vision for what you want to have for your business. It’s about taking responsibility – choose service, choose your ideal client, choose your mentor/coach, choose your marketing medium, choose where and how you want to work. It’s up to you!

Habit No. 2 – Begin With The End in Mind

This habit is based on imagination. What do you want your life to be like? What do you want your business to be like? Where are you going? For example, when you decide it’s time for a vacation – you pick a destination – that’s the ‘end in mind’. From there, you backward goal set and start to think about how you will get there, how much money it will cost, etc. etc. – same thing with your business. What is your destination?

Habit No. 3 – Put First Things First (ahhh, my favorite!)

“To live a more balanced existence, you have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay” – entrepreneurs have this bad habit of following all the BSO’s (bright shiny objects)! Stop that. Get clear. Review Habits 1 and 2. First things first for me mean faith, family and friends. Then, work. My 89 year old mother helped me to keep this in perspective before she passed by always reminding me “Patricia, all that matters in the end is who is with you in your small room/your life.” And that won’t necessarily be the people you work with, believe me. Relationships take time, effort and energy – and they are worth it. So, put them first.

Habit No. 4 – Think Win-Win

“Think Win-Win isn’t about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration. Most of us learn to base our self-worth on comparisons and competition. We think about succeeding in terms of someone else failing–that is, if I win, you lose; or if you win, I lose.”

This habit really hit home for me many, many years ago when I was in Labor Negotiations – and I spent hours and hours in hotel rooms, representing management, negotiating labor contracts. In those days, it was unusual (first of all) for women to be the lead negotiator and it was also unusual to take a win-win approach, which I did. I was ahead of my time. I realized, after a number of years of stress and discouragement that I was ahead of my time. I had studied the 7 Habits and decided to move on – to life work that was rewarding, satisfying and more of a win-win nature. Life is too short………

Habit No. 5 – Seek First to Understand, Then To Be Understood

Now, this is one that could save a lot of marriages!  Communication is the most important skill in life – and I coach many of my clients to master the skill of listening. The world would be a better place, in general, if we all spent time on this habit. One of my favorite lines now is ‘Help me understand………” – it has served me well in business and will help you, too.

Habit No. 6 – Synergize

“To put it simply, synergy means “two heads are better than one.” Synergize is the habit of creative cooperation.”

Two heads ARE better than one – that’s why I work with a business coach – and you should, too. So many of you continue to struggle, day in and day out, not only because you have not mastered the first 5 habits as listed here, but also because you are the stubborn, independent ‘lone ranger’ and believe you can do it all yourself. Geez! How’s that working for you? (as Dr. Phil would ask)

“When people begin to interact together genuinely, and they’re open to each other’s influence, they begin to gain new insight.” – and that’s why I am also part of a high-level master mind group. It’s key to my success in business.

Habit No. 7 – Sharpen the Saw

Have you let your business take over your life? How do I know? I’ve been there! This was a big life lesson for me. Take heed.

Covey says: “Sharpen the Saw means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have–you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.”

Stephen Covey died recently at a fairly young age – as a result of a biking accident. That’s my plan – go while I am doing something I am enjoying (like eating ice cream!). He lived life. He modeled his teachings. He walked his talk.

What about you. What are you waiting for? Get the book and start reading, learning and applying. You’ll be happy you did!

Which of the 7 Habits will you implement today?

Let me know your thoughts – I’d love to hear from you!

Please share your thoughts!