HABITS

I think that after all these years if I had to pick one book to study and to read over and over, I would still pick the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, written by Stephen R. Covey years ago.  The advice in this book is timeless; and if you can master these 7 Habits, you will have a very satisfying career and personal life.

You can check it out of the library or buy your own copy so you can study it, mark it up, read it, and refer to it for the next 50 years.The 7 Habits are as follows:

Private Victory

Habit 1:  Be Proactive

                   Principles of Personal Vision

Habit 2:  Begin With the End in Mind

                   Principles of Personal Leadership

Habit 3:  Put First Things First

                   Principles of Personal Management

Public Victory

Habit 4:  Think Win/Win

                    Principles of Interpersonal Leadership

Habit 5:  Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

                     Principles of Empathic Communication

Habit 6:  Synergize

                     Principles of Creative Communication

Renewal

Habit 7:  Sharpen the Saw

                     Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal

•       If you have the discipline, which is Habit No. 3, to study this book, you will then have performed Habit No. 7. 
•       If you have no vision, which is Habit No. 1, you might end up in the wrong place and be very unhappy. 
•       Habit No. 4 is good for both parties.  
•       Habit No. 5 is about listening, so you understand the issues before you try to be understood.  This way you address the right thing. 
•       The entire world does a bad job with Habit No. 6; and last but not least,
•       Habit No. 2 discusses closing your eyes and trying to imagine what people are going to say about you at your own funeral.  It is in your hands right now what they will say on that fateful day and even if anyone shows up.  Have fun with this very thought-provoking book.  Don’t read it—study it!

You all have another good week out there.  I am planning my annual vacation to Carmel, California.  I have been going there for more than 25 years; and year after year I stay in the same hotel, and I always stay in Room 171.  I go there because they:

•       Make me feel special,
•       Treat me as an individual,
•       Respected my son when he was small,
•       Respect my grandchildren now, and lastly
•       Are very knowledgeable.  I never have any hassles in this hotel or any attitude from anyone except a great attitude!

You can do this for your customers; and by the way, you need to learn to do it to be successful in any business.  Always be nice to your customers, even when they seem mad at you.  They are not mad at you. They don’t even know you.  They are upset over something, whether it was our fault or not. Everyone has a problem you don’t know about so just be kind and professional. 

Just listen to them; and make them feel special so they will calm down and love your organization again.  It is in your hands!

It is Friday the 13th so be careful out there and have a nice weekend….. Lee