Erik Van Alstine

Erik Van Alstine

Author. Leadership strategist. Expert in Perceptual IntelligenceTM.

The Seven Perceptions of Highly Effective People: How to Make Covey’s Habits Automatic – Part 2

This is the second post in the series. To discover the fundamental habit that drives all of Covey’s Seven Habits, read the first post.

The second perception is, See top goals clearly.

This perception is the root of Covey’s second habit, Begin with the end in mind. When we have a clear view of our most important goals, and keep these goals in view, we’re automatically motivated to reach them. We naturally take steps toward goals when goals are visible, meaning, when they occupy our attention.

The challenge is to keep the attention focused on the top goals, instead of letting lower goals block our view. Since life is dynamic, because attention snaps from one thing to another as the moments click along, managing attention itself is the top goal. So, as we follow the tactics Covey suggests, as we develop our mission statements, as we envision the end of our lives, as we set aside time to plan our week, let’s remember that it all boils down to managing attention in a world of distraction.

The third perception is, See the value of current options.

This perception is the root of Covey’s third habit, Put first things first. When top goals are in view, and we have a true picture of how our current options contribute to the achievement of top goals, we’ll automatically put first things first. But when we fail to see top goals clearly, and fail to see how current opportunities contribute to the top goals, we’ll pursue the wrong opportunities and fail to make the best impact.

The fourth perception is, See people as people of equal value and needs as self.

This is the root of Covey’s fourth habit, Think win-win. When we perceive people the right way, we automatically seek mutual benefit. We want others to benefit the same as we do, because we see them as having equal value. We don’t like win-lose scenarios (beyond healthy competition, of course) because that works against our view of other people.

If our view of others is right, that is. Our goal should be to see people right, every moment we’re with them and doing things that impact them.

In the next post, I’ll cover the final three habits, and the perceptions that automatically influence them.

Share this post