The 8 Habits of Highly Effective People is a book written by Stephen Covey in 1989. The habits are principles that he learned from people who had been successful and applied them to his own life. This article will discuss how you can achieve the same success.

1st Habit: Be Proactive

Be proactive means taking charge of your life instead of waiting for things to happen to you. It’s an active verb that means “to act.”

As opposed to reactive which means “to react.” When you’re reactive everything happens around you, and when you’re proactive it feels like your world revolves around what YOU want! Think about it this way: If someone throws a ball at the back of your head, you’re going to react and duck out of the way. If someone throws a ball at you from in front of you, then it’s up to YOU whether or not you catch it!

Ways of becoming proactive

– Set goals and put them in writing.

– Start the day with a list of what needs to be done that day, which will allow you to get more work done each morning because it takes less time than trying to figure out what was supposed to happen throughout the course of the day.

– At night before bed, make sure all outstanding tasks are written down on paper so they’re not forgotten about tomorrow when responsibilities need attention again.

– Write three things every week that was good for your life or made you happy – this reinforces positivity while also making others aware of how much is going right in one’s life as well (positive reinforcement).

– Be proactive in thinking ahead about potential challenges and plan it accordingly – this allows one to be ready for the challenge and have a plan in place instead of waiting until an issue springs up.

– Push yourself out of your comfort zone periodically because sticking too close only leads to stagnation – get those creative juices flowing by tackling new tasks and challenges!

2nd Habit: Have A Goal in Mind

– Setting goals helps one stay focused on their future – it allows them time and space to long-term plan without being pulled back into distractions that are happening around themselves at any given moment.

– Goals should not just be ‘pie in sky’ ideas either; instead, they need realizable elements that can be achieved in time.

– The goal should be sufficiently challenging but not too difficult. If they are too easy, the reward will not feel as great – if they are too hard, then one may get frustrated and give up trying to achieve them. Tip: Ask yourself ‘is it possible?’ or ‘can I do this with my existing skillset?’.

An example of a goal that an effective person might set is having five years’ worth of retirement savings by 2028 (or some other date). They would need to have their salary increase steadily enough over time so that the desired amount could accumulate without taking on any more debt than necessary; also make sure to plan for emergencies in case anything were to happen during these next few years. In order for this will assist in having the goal be achievable, the effective person will need to set attainable goals that he or she is capable of achieving.

Note: When setting a goal for oneself it may be best to set small and simple goals at first in order to make sure that they are not too difficult; one way would be by beginning with basic weight loss/exercise routines such as going on walks each day or doing quick yoga exercises. After these actions become a habit, then bigger tasks can gradually build up (i.e., running long distances).

3rd Habit: Set Priorities

Always having priorities in tasks will be more efficient because it will allow the individual to complete tasks with more ease and in a timely manner. One way of setting priorities is by using a To-Do list, where an effective person can see what he or she needs to do now as well as later on down the road.

Note: It may be best for one’s priority list not to have too many items that are time-sensitive; this will ensure that each task does not become overwhelming when trying to figure out which ones need completion first.

An individual needs to spend time on the things that are important and not just fill their day with any task they come across. Spending more time on what is most important will ensure a higher quality of work without all the unnecessary tasks being completed at once.

Note: Focusing one’s attention on what matters may be difficult, but it can lead to much better outcomes in life; therefore, focusing energy on making goals and living out those personal values should be prioritized over anything else.

4th Habit: Think Win-Win

We must not only think about what we want but also how to make the other person feel like they are wanted as well. We must not only think of our own wants and desires alone; instead, we should be able to come up with a solution that is mutually beneficial for all parties involved in order to have a lasting relationship.

Being successful does not mean being better than everyone else; it just means thinking differently from others so as to create an effective strategy for achieving goals.

The win-win mentality will help one find ways where there are two or more solutions that can satisfy both people’s needs without compromising on either side.

The focus should always be on cooperation rather than the competition because this tactic may lead individuals down paths that might end up hurting them so we must think for others and not only for ourselves.

The win-win mentality is not just a nice theory; it’s a practical guide to success for people who want to discover and apply the most effective ways of achieving goals that involve others.

Achieving one’s goal without hurting someone else will produce desirable results that last because such agreements are never broken if they force both parties into taking care of their own needs first before considering those of the other person.

In order to be successful, we must learn how to cooperate with others in mutually beneficial relationships while still getting what we need or desire out of them rather than driving selflessly towards our objectives at all costs.

5th Habit: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Many people do not want to listen because they don’t feel like it or are just too busy for the other person. This is a mistake because listening involves one of our most important skills in communication and problem solving, which is empathy.

In order to develop this skill, we need to understand what motivates others and their reasoning behind choices so that we can use them as resources instead of opponents or enemies. It also allows us time to find an alternative solution when two parties cannot get on the same wavelength with each other quickly enough.

We must remember that without understanding how someone feels about a topic before thinking ourselves right into the conversation, all we will be able to say is “I know better than you! ”.

The best way to find out how someone feels about something is by asking a question that will get them talking in order for their thoughts and feelings to show through. These questions are easier than trying to read people’s minds or guessing what they want us to hear, which typically leads to misunderstanding on both sides of the conversation.”

– “What do you think?”

– “How does this make you feel?”

– “Could we try it my way first before deciding? How would that work for me if I could have my input early enough?”

Why don’t we save some time and talk more later when there’s no pressure.”

The key ingredient with these types of questions is not following up with more probing questions when the person is talking and understand their side.

6th Habit: Synergize

Its always best practice to find solutions in a group then work to solve the problem together.

Covey’s example is when a company has an idea for how to improve their product or

service and they bring in several people from different departments, such as sales, marketing, manufacturing, etc., who have knowledge on the subject matter of how this change will affect other aspects of the business. This way everyone can contribute their thoughts without feeling like someone else is taking over.

This was also one of my favorite habits because it showed me that I don’t need to do everything myself and sometimes it’s better if I work with others so we are all equally invested into the outcome. It doesn’t hinder creativity either! We have more perspectives which means there are more ideas being shared–which leads us closer towards a solution faster.

Sometimes we will find the solutions much faster this way and it’s easier to find a common ground with others.

With this habit, I learned that you can’t do everything yourself because then you will be overwhelmed and stressed out. You’re also not able to communicate effectively if all the work is on your shoulders–you need people in order to make sure things move forward smoothly!

7th Habit: Sharpen the Saw

We need to have a balanced life by spending time on our personal development–this is called ‘sharpening the saw’ and it’s important to do for your own mental health. It doesn’t have to be a long-term thing, but I would recommend doing something every day that helps you grow as an individual.

That might mean playing with your kids or going for a walk outside by yourself!

This habit helped me understand how crucial self-care is in business because if we don’t take care of ourselves then nothing else will get done successfully. This leads to my next point…

We need time off from work so that we can recharge our batteries and come back ready to give more energy towards our projects again. Without this, people tend to burn out quickly which has been there but if we take time to r time off on a regular basis then we stop that from happening.

A few years ago, I had to take some time off work for Explore different jobs and it was the best thing I could have done! Work is important but so is taking care of your own mental well-being.

Without this habit, you can’t be as productive in your career because when people are burnt out they don’t want to do anything at all.

Nowadays I do take care of my body, eat healthily, and work out. I am able to get more done because of this habit!

8th Habit: Find Your Voice

When we find our own voice then there’s no doubt about the type of person that we want to become! we will be able to achieve success in all areas of life and this is why it’s such a habit that should be cultivated in every person.

Inspire others around you and make them feel encouraged and confident that they can do anything.

Sound like a cliche but it is true nonetheless!

This habit will not only strengthen your relationships with those around you, but also give you the confidence to take more risks in life which ultimately leads to success on all fronts.

I’ve found my voice through volunteering so I know how important this is for people who are introverted at heart because when we volunteer, we don’t have to talk much or be as social as others might require of us otherwise. This allows us time just for ourselves while still giving back and helping other people out too.

We’ve discussed some of the habits that can lead to professional success and happiness. I hope you have found this article helpful in your journey towards reaching your goals. If there are other habits, tips or lessons from people who have been successful that you would like to share with our readers, please post them in the comments section below!

The last few years have seen an explosion of productivity tools – and many of them are designed specifically for Mac.

That’s great news because it means there’s a wide selection of apps that can help you get more done faster. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of these apps and explain what they do in detail. Let’s start with…

Evernote

Evernote is one of the most popular note-taking apps on the market today, and it has been consistently ranked as one of the top productivity tools for mac over the last few years. One thing that makes Evernote so powerful is its ability to o sync with other apps on your Mac. This means you can type a shopping list in Evernote, and then go to Reminders and add the items to a reminder – all from within one app!

Features of Evernote App

• syncs with other apps on your Mac
• create notes and reminders to stay organized
• simple interface makes it easy to use
• Evernote is available for free in the App Store.

MindNode

Another popular productivity tool is Mindnode. It’s an amazing diagramming application that makes it easy for you to brainstorm ideas visually. And because it syncs with Dropbox or iCloud, you never have to worry about losing work if something were to happen to your computer! You also get access to over 60 templates that show how different tasks are mapped out by color-coding them. That way, everything looks neat and organized at first glance so there’s less of a chance of getting distracted by what doesn’t needs to be done.

Features of MindNode App :

• Free version available in the App Store
• Syncs with Dropbox or iCloud to reduce data loss and it can sync across multiple devices
• Drag, drop, copy, paste items to move them around on your map
• The MindNode Pro app has great features that allow you to come up with ideas quickly and easily while also helping users stay organized in order to create their maps they can then export as images or PDFs

MindNode Pro is ideal if someone needs help organizing tasks into categories so they are able to keep track of everything more efficiently

Alfred 

Alfred is an application launcher, providing quick access to apps and files on the user’s computer with hotkeys (customizable), keywords, or natural language queries via text input in a minimalistic interface occupying one corner of the screen while promoting discovery from within other applications launched through it. It saves time by performing desktop searches based on file types and matching filename patterns, even if they are not saved locally. It can also be used as a calculator with different functions such as percentage

Features of Alfred App:

• Access your Mac’s full capabilities quickly without using the mouse or trackpad.
• It saves time by performing desktop searches based on file types and matching filename patterns, even if they are not saved locally. It can also be used as a calculator with different functions such as percentage calculations, currency conversions, etc., perform unit conversion too and also compare files.
• It features Workflows that are like small applications in themselves, mini-apps that execute a series of commands with the click of one button (e.g., automatically renaming all your images to include today’s date and time).

Ulysses 

This is a note-taking app for writers. It is a full-screen writing app that focuses on distraction-free word processing and rich typography, something which makes it different from other apps.

There are many features in Ulysses such as:

• ability to sync files with iCloud or Dropbox;
• search capabilities within the file browser allows you to search by document title, text content, author name etc.;
• markdown support provides quick formatting options using simple symbols without cluttering your screen;

Airmail

The Airmail App is used for email consolidation and organization. It’s a clean design and easy to use for managing all your email accounts in one place.

Features include:

• support of Gmail, Yahoo Mail, iCloud mail etc.;
• sort emails by unread or starred;
• create signatures with text or pictures;
• customize scrolling preferences according to how you read your inbox – manually scroll up and down through messages, have the app automatically adjust the number of lines displayed at any time from two to five rows depending on what’s shown on screen, set the speed of scrolling as well as bounce back when reaching the top/bottom of an email list; and more!

Bear 

Want to brainstorm some ideas? Bear App lets you create notes and outlines, share documents with others, sketch ideas for web or mobile apps.

Features include:

• Share your work with Bear on all major platforms;
• create text-, image-, link-, quote- rich posts without formatting hassles;
• add comments to any note at the same time as publishing it so that new thoughts and questions are captured in context. You can also edit existing posts while they’re still online – just tap “edit” to make changes and publish them again;

Bartender

This App will help to declutter you get rid of all the applications on your Mac that you don’t use.

Features include:

• Bartender lets you create custom menu items, and place them wherever you want in a window;
• You can rearrange found apps using drag and drop without any fuss;
• You will be able to manage multiple displays from one display manager;
• Instantly hide or show an application by pressing its hotkey (located below the app’s icon);

When it comes to productivity, Bartender is more than just another pretty face! It actually speeds up launching time for finder windows too.;

Keyboard Maestro

Automation is here, and it is in the form of Keyboard Maestro.

Features include:

• set up workflows with actions like opening and closing documents, switching between applications;
• customize your own hotkeys for scripts that trigger on specific events (like sending a quick email);
• You can even set things up so you just need to type “t” or “f”, and they will lead each respective action.;

Keyboard Maestro is perfect for those who want more out of their computer than what it originally provides! Its easy-to-use interface makes this app accessible no matter what level of user you are. Biggest downside? You might not know how to stop using it once you start! 😉

Clockify

Time needs to be managed in an efficient way, and Clockify is a free time tracker and timesheet app that helps monitor and manage productivity.

– Clockify allows you to create tasks, set a duration for them, see how much time has been spent on the task so far, and pause or resume the timer when needed.
It also includes features such as a stopwatch with an alarm clock option that can be synchronized across all your devices and cloud storage of project data.

– You can use Clockify wherever you are – at work, home office, or just chilling out in front of the TV! And it’s free too!

Features of Clockify:

• Free time tracker and timesheet app
• Manage productivity by tracking time spent on tasks, pausing the timer when needed
• Integrates with other apps such as Toggl or Harvest for better data management

Pocket

Do you forget to save your favorite articles? The pocket app can resolve this problem device as long as they have access to an internet connection.

It’s a time-saving app that allows you to save offline articles, videos, and websites for later reading.

Once downloaded on your phone or tablet, the pocket app will keep track of all your saved content and store it in an online database. This way, everything is always available at any given moment when need it most – even without an internet connection!

The Pocket App features:

• Offers both free (limited number) and paid subscription plans with unlimited storage space; more than six million items are stored on their servers already
• Allows synchronization across devices so you can easily read from any device comfortably.
• Allows for a night reading mode to reduce eye strain

With the help of an article like this, you should be able to find a productivity tool that suits your needs. However, if there are any other tools you use and would recommend for others in the comments below, we’d love to hear about them! We hope this article has been helpful so far and wish you all the best as you continue on your quest for more productive days ahead.