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2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 9
Here's the CliffsNotes version of The 7
Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen
Covey's self-help book that has sold more
than 25 million copies worldwide since it
was published in 1989.
1. Sharpen the saw. Don't work yourself
to death. Strive for a sustainable lifestyle
that affords you time to recuperate, recharge and be effective in
the long-term.
2. Be proactive. You have a natural need to wield influence on
the world around you, so don't spend your time reacting to exter-
nal events and circumstances. Take charge and assume respon-
sibility for your life.
3. Begin with an end in mind. Don't spend your life working and
wandering aimlessly, tackling whatever job is at hand. Have a
vision for the future and align your actions accordingly to make it
into a reality.
4. Put first things first. To prioritize your work, focus on what's
important, meaning the things that bring you closer to your vision
of the future. Don't get distracted by urgent but unimportant
tasks.
5. Think win-win. When negotiating with others, don't try to get
the biggest slice of the cake, but rather find a division that is
acceptable to all parties. You'll still get your fair share — and
build strong, positive relationships in the process.
6. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. When some-
Key Insights From The 7 Habits
of Highly Effective People
SELF IMPROVEMENT