1.4: Develop Habits that Support Your Success

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

The book entitled The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, written by Stephen R. Covey, is based on Covey’s belief that the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions. In order to change a given situation, we must change ourselves, and in order to change ourselves, we must be able to change our perceptions.^[1]

Spend a little time researching the following seven habits to really understand what they mean:

• Be proactive. Control your environment rather than have it control you.
• Begin with the end in mind. Envision the desired outcome and concentrate on activities that help in achieving it.
• Put first things first. Manage time and effort so that the required tasks are prioritized.
• Think win-win. Co-operative effort, so there are no losers.
• Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Listen to others first, let them know they have been heard before you speak.
• Synergize. People cooperating can often achieve more than one person could alone.
• Sharpen the saw. Take time to think, learn, and analyze.

Nine Tips for Building a Successful Career You Enjoy

Career success can be highly subjective, meaning each person gets to define what success looks like for them. For some people, a successful career is one that provides the most enjoyment. For others, a successful career is one that provides certain financial benefits. Regardless of how you define it, achieving your goal of a successful career can be an exciting and empowering experience.^[2]

• Identify your goals. What are your personal and professional goals? Have you identified your career interests? You may want to schedule an appointment with a career advisor. Most colleges and universities provide a Career office with career advisors who can help you determine your career interests, search for employment, develop your resume and cover letter for specific jobs, and practice your interview skills.  It’s definitely worth a visit to your Career office.
• Keep track of progress. Set SMART goals as these are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. Using this structure can be a good way to support your success and make adjustments if needed.^[3]
• Make a plan. Identify your skills and abilities, and then search for a career you may like. Do you have the skills you need? If not, then how will you get them? This is a good time to connect with a career advisor and take a few career assessments to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and find opportunities for you to learn, grow, and prepare yourself for the career you want.
• Stay positive. A positive outlook can support you in building a successful career by keeping your mind open to new possibilities and career paths. Practice interrupting negative thoughts and replacing them with a positive alternative, if possible. Try to spend time with other positive people to reinforce these thought patterns, if it makes sense for you to do so.
• Reflect often. Frequently reflecting on your career progress, current circumstances, and future options can help you build a successful career.
• Know your strengths. When you know your strengths, you can tailor your job search accordingly and find a position that suits your unique skills. You can also use this information to understand where to focus your attention in professional development and expand your strengths accordingly.
• Network effectively. Your connections with other industry professionals can help you grow, make you aware of new and interesting career paths and even make your career more enjoyable.
• Keep a growth mindset. Growth mindset is a phrase that refers to the belief that anything can be learned if you give enough effort to learning it.
• Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness, or paying attention to your internal and external state of being, can help you build a successful career by developing self-awareness, confidence and a sense of calm. Try researching mindfulness techniques or visiting with a mindfulness specialist to learn ways to do so.  Mindfulness is a practice in which you focus your awareness on the present without judgment. You create an intention to be conscious of your thinking, feeling, and sensations regarding the current situation. You fully engage in the present moment. Interestingly, mindfulness has been researched extensively and has all kinds of positive outcomes. For example, in a global study, those who practiced mindfulness reduced depression by 19%, reduced anxiety by 13% and improved wellbeing by 7%, according to research published in the British Journal of Health Psychology.^[4] In business, mindfulness can improve productivity, biases, decision-making, behaviour, creativity, and well-being. Mindfulness programs help leaders and employees reflect effectively, focus sharply on the task at hand, master peak levels of stress, and recharge quickly.^[5] In recent years, many big organizations have begun to invest in mindfulness. Google, Nike and Procter & Gamble, for example, provide meditation rooms and classes for employees.^[6] Here’s how you can practice mindfulness for benefits in your academic and business careers: 1) Reduce distraction, 2) Avoid multi-tasking, 3) Reduce procrastination, 4) Reduce emotional reactivity, and 5) Avoid team issues.^[7]

Manage Time Effectively

Time management is an essential life skill and one that will make a huge difference in your career. Time management is the practice of planning and controlling how you use your time to be more productive and efficient. It involves prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, and avoiding distractions. The goal of time management is to complete important tasks on time while also balancing your personal, professional, and academic responsibilities. Some benefits of effective time management include less stress, more time for creative or strategic projects, better work quality, and more self-confidence. Managing time is an essential part of every busy business professional’s job. Most professionals use an electronic calendar to track appointments, meetings, events, etc.

Manage Stress Effectively

Stress is a part of everyone’s life. Stress is a physical, mental, and emotional response to a difficult event. Stress Management offers a range of ways to help you better deal with stress and difficulty in your life. Engaging in activities that support self-care may help reduce stress and anxiety. These can include exercise and mindfulness practices.

Listed below are 16 evidence-based ways to relieve stress:^[8]

• 

  Get more physical activity

• Eat a balanced diet
• Minimize phone use and screen time
• Practice self-care
• Try journaling
• Reduce your caffeine intake
• Spend time with friends and family
• Create boundaries and learn to say no
• Avoid procrastination
• Take a yoga class
• Practice mindfulness
• Cuddle
• Spend time in nature
• Practice deep breathing
• Spend time with a pet
• Consider supplements

Taking Tests

Often, students become stressed when there is a test to take. Your institution may provide some test-taking tips.  Below are a few test-taking tips from various colleges and universities.

• Wichita State University
• Utah State University
• Southwestern University
• The Learning Portal, College Libraries Ontario

Media Attributions

“Photo Of Women Stretching Together” by Cliff Booth, used under the Pexels license.