7 Habits of Highly Effective Students The concept of the Seven Habits is based on Stephen Covey and has been utilized by millions of people, young and old alike, to make life more rewarding and productive. Highly proactive students recognize that their behavior is a product of their conscious choices. The following is a brief overview of the Seven Habits: Habit 1: Be Proactive- Take the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen. Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind- Start with a clear destination so as to understand where you are now, where you're going and what you value most. Habit 3: Put First Things First- Manage yourself. Organize and execute around priorities. Habit 4: Think Win/Win: See life as a cooperative, not competitive, arena where success is not achieved at the expense of exclusion of others. Habit 5: Seek First To Understand, Then Be Understood- Build the skills of empathetic listening that inspires openness and trust. Habit 6: Synergize- Apply the principles of cooperative creativity and value differences. Habit 7: Sharpen The Saw- Preserve and enhance your greatest asset-yourself- by renewing the physical, spiritual, mental, and social-emotional dimensions of your nature.