Living the 7 Habits: Reflections from Our 4-Day Life Class

Over the past four days, we had the opportunity to pause, reflect, and learn through our Life Class, inspired by Stephen R. Covey’s timeless book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It was not just a class—it was a journey of looking inward and discovering tools to live more purposefully.

Covey’s 7 Habits—ranging from Being Proactive to Sharpening the Saw—are simple yet profound principles that help us align our personal and professional lives. Each day of the class took us deeper into these habits, helping us connect them with our own experiences.

We started with understanding what it means to Be Proactive. Rather than reacting to situations, we explored how to choose our responses with responsibility. The discussion on the “Circle of Influence vs. Circle of Concern” reminded me that energy is best invested where I can truly make an impact. The focus shifted to Beginning with the End in Mind and Putting First Things First. Through reflective exercises, we thought about our personal values, long-term goals, and the importance of prioritizing what truly matters over urgent but less meaningful distractions. Centered on Think Win-Win and Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. We engaged in activities that highlighted the power of empathy, listening, and collaboration. It became clear that effective relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, and genuine communication. The idea that we achieve more collectively than individually was brought alive through group work. We understood what Synergy and Sharpening the Saw are. We ended by reflecting on how to continuously renew ourselves—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually—to stay balanced and effective. These four days reminded me that effectiveness is not about doing more, but about doing what matters, and doing it with clarity and balance. The Life Class was a gentle push to align my habits with my deeper values and to consciously practice small changes every day.

Learning about the 7 Habits in this format made the ideas come alive. What I carry forward is the belief that true effectiveness is about harmony—within ourselves, with others, and with the larger purpose we serve. This Life Class was just the beginning; living the 7 Habits is the real journey ahead.