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“The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” - a guide for jobseekers too! (part 1)
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20 years ago, Stephen R. Covey published a book titled “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”. Although this book was mainly used in business situations, it is also quite useful when seeking employment. I read this book a long time ago and it was one of the many books that completely changed my way of thinking. It has sold over 15 million copies in 38 languages since first publication, which was marked by the release of a 15th anniversary edition in 2004. Have you read it? if not, dear reader, I urge you to pick up a copy and read it from cover to cover before the end of the year. I guarantee that you will be stoked and energized to do what must be done to get that dream job in 2010. This book can be found online, in bookstores, thrift stores, and of course the public library.
What I love about this book is that it represents a factoid that many people forget - what worked 20 years ago can and does still work today. The powerful messages that struck me when I first read the book so long ago still resonate with me today as I go about my daily routine. Take a look at the actual seven habits as it was presented in 1989:
• Habit 1: Be Proactive: Principles of Personal Choice
• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind: Principles of Personal Vision
• Habit 3: Put First Things First: Principles of Integrity & Execution
• Habit 4: Think Win/Win: Principles of Mutual Benefit
• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood: Principles of Mutual Understanding
• Habit 6: Synergize: Principles of Creative Cooperation
• Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal
I would like to spend a few of my next articles on my explanation of what this list means to me, how it affected me, the actions that I implement it because of it, and the rewards they came to me based upon my actions.
Habit 1: Be Proactive: Principles of Personal Choice. I personally feel this is the strongest and most powerful of the seven. Be proactive, not reactive. In good times and bad times, I have always mentored by students and clients to believe one simple tenet - Successful People Make Life Happen for Them, They Don't Let Life Happen to Them”. In most situations we have a choice to go down several roads. Some roads look hilly and rocky while other roads seem nice and smooth. Some roads are worn down by the footsteps of thousands while other roads are still unpaved. You have a choice, a decision, to make - which road will you take. Being proactive means being creative, using your brain, using their knowledge you have collected to make things happen for you. Being proactive means to see problems before they get to be problems and to establish a Plan B, C, and D. Never leaving anything to chance and willing to take calculated risks.
Here is an example of proactive behavior.
When you are seeking employment, are you proactive or reactive? Do you take the road less traveled or are you more comfortable following in the footsteps of thousands? Do you see adversity as an obstacle or a challenge? When you walk into a room of 100 other applicants, are you afraid or motivated? When you speak to an interviewer, do you see them as your judge or as a partner to your success? When things do not go your way, are you filled with rage, shame, and frustration or are you eager to move on to your next interview? Proactivity will always place you in a good mindset in spite of whatever harsh conditions might occur. And as a side benefit, employers absolutely love people who have proven themselves to be proactive.
Successful people make life happen for them; they don't let life happen to them!
Be proactive. Get yourself a copy of the Stephen Covey book. Want more? Try my book, "Jobseeker No More: the complete guide to employment success".
By all means, read these books with me as we travel on the Executive Train on the road to employment success.
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