{"id":79,"date":"2020-10-30T11:12:01","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T11:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/34.125.46.169\/?page_id=79"},"modified":"2026-09-27T19:14:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:14:56","slug":"habit-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.franklincovey.de\/en\/courses\/the-7-habits\/habit-1\/","title":{"rendered":"habit-1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourses<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®<\/sup><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Habit 1: Be Proactive®<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> Habit 7<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHabit 2 <\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Free Guide<\/p>\n

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
<\/div><\/div>\n
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A Brief Guide to Principles From the Bestselling Book<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Download Now <\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Free Guide<\/p>\n

Private Victories: Inside Out Professional Growth
<\/div><\/div>\n
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Unlock Potential, Unleash Performance<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Download Now <\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Insight Report<\/p>\n

The Leadership Imperative
<\/div><\/div>\n
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A Guidebook for Creating Leadership Capability<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Download Now <\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Free Guide<\/p>\n

How Effective Leaders Get Results
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7 Ways to Be More Proactive<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Download Now <\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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The Principle of Choice\n<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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Habit 1: Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for our lives. This is the first habit because every other habit depends on our ability to act proactively rather than reactively\u2014to make things happen rather than waiting for them to happen.<\/p>\n

One of the key ideas in this habit is that we have the freedom to choose our response. When things happen to us, we get to decide whether to focus on what we can change or to get stuck waiting, complaining, and worrying.<\/p>\n

One of the most important indicators of whether we\u2019re responding proactively or reactively is the language we use. When we use proactive language we say things like \u201cI can\u201d or \u201cI get to.\u201d When we use reactive language we say things like \u201cI can\u2019t\u201d or \u201cI have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

When we use consistent, proactive language it affirms our capacity to choose and reflects and reinforces a proactive approach to life.<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Circle of Influence<\/h2>

When we\u2019re proactive, we focus our efforts on our Circle of Influence\u00ae. We work on the things we can do something about. This allows us to expand our influence over time and create more choices and opportunities. When we\u2019re reactive, we get stuck focusing on our Circle of Concern\u2122\u2014on things over which we have little or no control.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\u201cAs you study the other six habits you will see that each depends on the development of your proactive muscles. Each puts the responsibility on you to act. If you wait to be acted upon, you will be acted upon.\u201d<\/h2>\n

— Stephen R. Covey<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Habit 1<\/div>\n
Be Proactive\u00ae<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Assume responsibility and focus on the things that can be influenced rather than what can\u2019t.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Habit 2<\/div>\n
Begin With the End in Mind\u00ae<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Define clear measures for success and create a plan to achieve them\u2014in the next few hours, over the next few months, or across a lifetime.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Habit 3<\/div>\n
Put First Things First\u00ae<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Prioritize and spend time on achieving the most important goals.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Habit 4<\/div>\n
Think Win-Win\u00ae<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Approach each situation looking for ways everyone can win.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Habit 5<\/div>\n
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood\u00ae<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Listen, understand, and honor others\u2019 perspectives, and have the courage to express thoughts and feelings respectfully.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Habit 6<\/div>\n
Synergize\u00ae
 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Leverage different perspectives to solve problems, innovate, and achieve more than any one individual alone.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Habit 7<\/div>\n
Sharpen the Saw\u00ae<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Increase motivation, energy, and vitality by making time for renewal activities.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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Resources<\/h2>\n
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\n The 7 Habits Book<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Mission Statement Builder<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Your 7 Habits Strengths<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n<\/section>\n\n
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Build essential human skills. Drive growth at every level. <\/div>\n

Connect with a FranklinCovey expert today to empower your leaders and teams to unlock potential and unleash performance for your organization.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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