Be Proactive

Think, if just sitting on the cubicle can you score achievements and achieve something? You won't go anywhere if you just stay in your comfortable area. To be successful in your career, you need to be more proactive in determining what you want to achieve, then start drawing a map that will help you along the path to that achievement.

Start with the End

Think about what you want. If you want to become, say, a Marketing Director, the first step is to identify what skills, skills, knowledge and experience are needed to achieve this. Once you have the list, you will compare it with the current situation and see what gaps could be filled in to qualify for a Marketing Director. Always start with the very end, something you want as the end result. Only then will you find or make a path to get there.

Put First things First

Make a list of important jobs to do each week, and do a daily review of the list. Always put the things that are most important to do first. Stephen Covey calls them "the big rocks". Imagine a bucket, where you will place your activity stones. Without listing the large stones, the most important items, you will probably end up with the bucket filled with pebbles. Put your large stones in the bucket first, then the pebbles, the less important things. Thus, your daily work arrangement will be more effective.

Think Win-Win

The win-win mindset will help you in any situation, which will make you think of more creative and profitable solutions, which everyone around you will feel good about. Stephen Covey calls it the Third Alternative, a solution that satisfies everyone. It's not your or my way, it's a higher way.

Understand, then Understood

This habit is very suitable to be applied by managers. Before a manager responds to a specific situation in his department, he must first understand the situation as a whole. When they have an understanding, they will be able to think of the best solution that can be done. This habit also applies in the work environment, with co-workers. Before you come up with your ideas, try to understand the ideas and interests of your peers. If you have practiced this habit, you will feel that everyone will be more than happy to hear and accept you. That's the golden rule.

Build Synergy

You may often hear the saying, "the sum is greater than the parts". In business, this rule really applies. Stephen Covey's suggestion to get into the habit of building synergy is based on the understanding that it is very important to work together with teams of diverse backgrounds in harmony. Different backgrounds will provide more diverse ideas, which will pave the way for more creative and profitable solutions.

Sharpen the saw

This is my favorite habit. The habit of sharpening the saw is very useful to keep your mind fresh and motivated. In addition, this habit will help improve your skills and knowledge. Stephen Covey illustrates this habit with an illustration of a person sawing a large tree. He spent hours sawing, without making any significant progress. But he went on sawing, without stopping, without success, and without realizing that the saw was blunt. If only he had taken the time to sharpen his saw, it would be easier and faster for him to cut down the tree he was sawing. Sharpening your chainsaw is all about taking vacations, doing fun things, working on hobbies, and anything else that helps you get refreshed and energized in your routine work.

If you haven't read "The 7 Habits" or haven't read it in the last five years, it's highly recommended to read it. The habits taught in this book are very relevant to be applied in life and everyday life, and will help you succeed in your career. Good habits will form good character which will certainly attract good results. As these words of wisdom convey:

Sow thought, and you will reap deeds,

Sow deeds, then you will reap a habit,

Sow a habit, then you will reap a character,

Sow character, then you will reap destiny.