subject: Take Flight- Successful Habits of Successful People [print this page] Take Flight- Successful Habits of Successful People
We all want to achieve success in life. Those who believe they can achieve greatness will achieve it. We are all winners in life but some people just are a little ahead than others. Most successful people share the same or very similar habits that are not "ingrained", or "genetic"; they are habits that anyone like you and me can cultivate. Michael Jordan believed he could achieved greatness...
Michael Jordan was not always the most dominant basketball player in the world. Hell he didn't even make his varsity basketball team in high school at one point. Once he realized he needed to make some tweaks in his habits, it was over for the competition. Jordan later went to North Carolina University and won a national championship, was drafted by the Chicago Bulls and won six championships (3-peated twice) and now is the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. It doesn't get any better than that.
Jordan and other greats in their respective fields were not always on top, and we all have that drive in us. The problem is some people have found it and others struggle to find their groove. The one thing successful people have in common is their habits. What are these "habits" all people who have obtained some form of success share?
Dr Stephen Covey is a hugely influential management guru, whose book The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People, became a blueprint for personal development when it was published in 1990. I fused MJ's habits and found a correlation with Dr. Covey's habits.
Habit 1 - Proactive
"Being proactive means taking initiative, not waiting for others to act first, and being responsible for what you do."
When you are proactive, you are taking control of your surroundings instead of waiting for outside elements to control you. When you are reactive you wait for your environment to make decisions for you. Successful people have an idea where they want to go in life and do not wait for the world to help or influence them. Yeah I'm sure there's a little luck along the way but successful people would not have benefited from lady luck if they didn't place themselves in position. The habit of being proactive creates those opportunities to maximize potential for success. Are you a proactive person or a reactive person?
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
"Plan well. Think things through. The carpenter's rule is "measure twice, cut once."
Heard the saying, "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail"? Well that's pretty much sums it up. You must know where the finish line is and how you will get around the track before the even line up in the starting block. Once you have an idea, review your idea and make sure you have the best strategy. You can always win the race after the start but you have a better chancing of being the winner with a great start. Every great idea started off as a plan whether it was scribbled on a piece of paper or typed on a computer. In conclusion, plan you attack.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
"What one thing could you do in your personal and professional life that, if you did on a regular basis, would make a tremendous positive difference in your life?"
This is the habit of personal management. Organization of oneself and implementing activities in line with your master plan (habit 2). Covey says that habit 2 is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation. What's important in your life and are those activities that you call important assist you in reaching your goals? Figure it out!!
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win
Most achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. You may think you can do anything all by your lonesome but it is definitely not true. Good relationships with others will be very important in not only your success but also in the others' achievements. There is enough cake for everyone at the party so do not burn bridges on your way to the top. Everyone can have success and the more you can see that the easier your path becomes.
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand and Then to be Understood
This is pretty much saying in order to gain the knowledge of the teacher you must first become a student. Not only a student but one worthy of making the Dean's List. Many times people think they know everything and do not want to listen to others. Whether old or young, everyone can gain something from everyone. Covey puts it best in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'.
Habit 6 - Synergize
This is the principle of understanding the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. As great of a basketball player as Michael Jordan was, it was his belief in his teammates that helped win those six NBA championships. The habit to see the good in each persons contributions on your way to your goal is a very valuable trait you will need to succeed.
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw
The habit of self renewal the final habit of successful people. Let's go back to Jordan. As he got older, Jordan didn't have the same level of athleticism he had during his early years. Knowing his high flying days are over, he reinvented himself and developed a deadly turnaround jump shot that no one could defend as he won championships four five and six. Remember that learning never stops and the excellent ones are always learning more when others have stopped.
Habit 8- Practice the 7 Habits
Don't just read them. Apply them to your everyday life or they will not become habits. Michael Jordan applied similar habits in his life and the result is the career every basketball player would want. To become a MJ in your field, its time to make a change in your habits.
