View from the Summit

Is there someone in your life who just “gets it?” You know the person I’m talking about. They own a business, sit on a board of directors, and still somehow remember your birthday.

They’ve got to be some sort of magician, right? Or maybe they take some sort of pill that makes them perform at such a high level.

Think again! There’s no such “magic.” Winners simply choose the right habits and discipline themselves to practice them.

People whose habits are fully integrated get the most out of life...  because they put a lot into it. Many of them know their strengths, using tools like the DISC assessment to see what they’re naturally good at versus where they need work.

Now you probably think, “Ok Big A, I get it. It’s all about the right habits. But which habits do I pick up and master?”

Now that’s the right kind of question to ask.

When I think about which habits to shoot for, I immediately think of what Stephen Covey mentions in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. If you’ve never read the book, you need to get a copy ASAP. I’m telling you, it’s that good!

Instead of going into detail about each habit, I’ll list them below. After that, you’ll get an idea of someone who has the habit ingrained. That way, you’ll be able to see it in action, and have an example to follow.

If you want to surround yourself with others who pursue the 7 habits, apply to join one of our mastermind groups.

The 7 Habits In Real Time

1. Be Proactive – A person with this habit is like intentionality defined. If they want something, they’ll do everything they can to position themselves to achieve it. This person gets things done because they take action.

Instead of sitting around and being reactive, this person faces every challenge head-on. They know it’s up to them to make dreams come true. They’re also proactive asking others to join them. They’re eager to meet others and see how everyone can achieve more (more on this in Habit 3).

2. Begin with The End In Mind – “Think before you act.” Many people get hyped up thinking about what they want to achieve, and throw themselves into things headfirst. They might make some progress at first, but usually, they burn out.

People who begin with the end in mind struggle far less with this problem. The reason is they anticipate things that could go wrong, how they’ll need help, and where or who can provide it.

The person who begins with the end in mind is usually the one who reaches the end successfully.

3. Put First Things First

Have you ever noticed how easily, yet politely, some people can say “No thanks”? It’s because they’ve practiced putting first things first. They know they have limited time and energy. They’re selective, no matter how much value they might bring to a project.

By choosing priorities and following through with them, these people make steady progress on their goals. They avoid small, less important activities, because they protect their time.

If someone else can easily handle your task, maybe it’s time to let them do it. This will free you to put your first things first.

4. Think Win/Win

Highly effective people don’t want to leave others behind. That may sound counterintuitive, if you look at the world today. But it’s not true. I know far too many of these people; they don’t want to win at others’ expense.

Where many see doom and gloom, a person who thinks win/win lives in a world of abundance. They’re happy to share opportunities and credit with others. They share because they don’t interpret someone else’s “win” as their own “loss.”

There are groups and places where everybody can win. That’s where effective people do business. You’ll find the same thing if you choose to apply to join one of our mastermind groups.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

It isn’t just therapists that ask questions to gain deeper understanding. Effective people do it as well. There are some great reasons to understand the other person first.

• To identify common ground you share
• To hear how a positive outcome would look for them
• To know what step to take next

Almost all of these are impossible to learn if you focus only on being heard. It requires confidence and grace to fully listen to others, particularly during a disagreement.

Whether you’re trying to build a successful business or a healthy marriage, it’ll be easier if you understand other people, their feelings, and their goals.

6. Synergize

When two or more people, ideas, or resources come together they equal more than the sum of their parts. This is how a synergizing person thinks. While some turn away from “group projects” in life, the synergist runs toward them.

Leaders of mastermind groups are synergists. They look for opportunities to help others come together and shine. They know bringing Sally and Joe together will create more than either could on their own.

7. Sharpen the Saw

It’s clear that highly effective people can get to the top. But we usually hear about them if they stay at the top. How do you stay there? By “sharpening the saw.”

Saw blades become dull as they’re used. The same thing happens to our intelligence, focus, and motivation. If we do the same things over and over without recharging, we become as dull as a blunt, rusty hacksaw.

Most top performers “sharpen” in online mastermind groups, just like ours. If you want to change your surroundings … change those who surround you. Click here to apply to join one of our mastermind groups.