Being Highly Effective is Within Your Reach

I’ve been listening to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey. The book was published in 1989 and somehow I’ve neglected to give it any attention, until now, even though multiple people have recommended it to me. This self-help book should be on your reading list. If you’re like me, you have many things demanding your attention. Without setting and prioritizing your goals, you’ll find that years have gone by and you won’t have accomplished what you had wanted.

Many people wander aimlessly getting the basics done. Stephen Covey stresses that you need to start with your end goal and work backwards. This will help you avoid “putting your ladder on the wrong wall” and finding that you weren’t anywhere near where you wanted to end up.

After Covey leads you through a guided imagery of attending a funeral and you notice that it is you in the casket. What is it that you would like to hear everyone say that you accomplished? Not long after I heard this passage, I saw the notice of a long lost friend from high school had passed away. I hadn’t seen him since high school but I had thought of him occasionally over the years. The news of his death made me sad. He was well loved by all. It brought home the salient point that I need to take charge of the direction of my life if I want to reach my goals.

What makes a good life? This is up to you. Your goals will be unique to you. They could be related to your personal relationships or something in your career. The point is to be proactive so that you get where you want to be at the finish line.

I like the way the author tells his story in the audio book. His confident voice makes you believe that you can accomplish your goals if you prioritize them, and dedicate the time and energy to mastering them. This inspiration is reachable to all of us. Success is but a decision to start.

Linda Salzer is a Senior Network Engineer working to pivot towards a technical Product Manager position.