Just to remind myself

1. Be proactive. Control your environment, rather than having it control you.

2. Begin with the end in mind. Covey calls this "the habit of personal leadership" -- leading yourself toward your goals.

3. Put first things first ("the habit of personal management") -- organizing and implementing your activities in line with your objectives.

4. Think "win/win" instead of "win-or-lose" ("the habit of interpersonal leadership") -- because personal achievements are largely dependent on cooperative efforts.

5. Seek first to understand and then to be understood -- a habit that is based on the power of communication.

6. Synergize (see "Word to the Wise," below) by exercising the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts ("the habit of creative cooperation"). This habit implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.

7. Sharpen the saw ("the habit of self-renewal"). This habit supports all the other habits and helps you stay physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually fit.