Mastering Strategy Execution with a Little Help from the 7 Habits, 5 Choices, 5 AM Club, and AI
Integrating Timeless Principles with Modern Tools
Strategy execution is more than just a buzzword—it is the bridge between ambitious goals and tangible results. Yet, many individuals and organizations struggle with implementing their plans effectively. In this blog, we’ll explore how combining world-class leadership and productivity methods, including the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the 5 Choices of Extraordinary Productivity, and the inspirational principles of the 5 AM Club, with cutting-edge AI and Inspire Software can revolutionize how you execute strategies and achieve your goals.
The Foundation: Timeless Leadership Principles
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey’s seminal work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has remained a cornerstone of personal and professional development since its release in 1989. Covey's principles—ranging from being proactive to sharpening the saw—are designed to help individuals become more effective by aligning their actions with their values and long-term goals.
My own journey began the year the book debuted. As a fresh graduate struggling to land a job, I stumbled upon The 7 Habits. It transformed my approach to job interviews, emphasizing preparation, proactive behavior, and the importance of beginning with the end in mind. Within weeks of finishing the book, I secured my first position as a software engineer. This set the stage for a lifelong commitment to Covey’s philosophy, which influenced not only my personal development but also the creation of my start-up software company, InnovaSystems, in 1997.
At InnovaSystems, we integrated the 7 Habits into our employee culture through onboarding, workshops, and coaching, which contributed to our growth to over 350 employees and $60M in Annual Recurring Revenue. This culture also earned us 10 consecutive Best Places to Work awards from 2013 to 2022, until we sold the company and launched Inspire Software Solutions in 2022. Inspire evolved from a productivity app for the iPad into an AI-driven enterprise platform, helping thousands of customers worldwide. Today, in 2025, we continue to onboard employees with the 5 Choices, the 7 Habits, and other leadership programs.
The FranklinCovey Framework
In 1997, Covey joined forces with Hyrum Smith, the inventor of the Franklin Planner—a tool used by Fortune 500 leaders and employees to prioritize tasks and manage their time effectively. Together, they founded FranklinCovey, a company that has since helped countless organizations refine their strategies and focus on what truly matters.
The FranklinCovey framework, including Principle-Centered Leadership (1992) and First Things First (1996), offers practical guidance for prioritization and decision-making. These tools remind us that strategy execution is deeply tied to individual habits and organizational culture.
The 5 Choices for Extraordinary Productivity
Building on Covey’s principles, FranklinCovey introduced The 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity in 2012 as a modern day productivity course based on the 7 Habits, primarily Habit 3: Put First Things First. These choices focus on discerning what is most important, acting on it, and managing energy to stay productive and engaged. Together, these choices can transform the way individuals and teams approach their goals, ensuring that their actions are aligned with strategic priorities.
Embracing the 5 AM Club
Building on Covey’s principles, FranklinCovey introduced The 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity in 2012 as a modern day productivity course based on the 7 Habits, primarily Habit 3: Put First Things First. These choices focus on discerning what is most important, acting on it, and managing energy to stay productive and engaged. Together, these choices can transform the way individuals and teams approach their goals, ensuring that their actions are aligned with strategic priorities.
While Covey’s principles emphasize goal alignment and prioritization, Robin Sharma’s The 5 AM Club adds another dimension: discipline. Waking up early to focus on personal growth, creativity, and exercise fosters a high-performance mindset. The concept of starting the day with intentionality aligns beautifully with Covey’s foundation, amplifying productivity and mental clarity.
The 5 AM Club shares a common thread with Covey’s Habit 3: they both emphasize intentional living and prioritizing what truly matters.
Here’s how they align:
1. Focus on Priorities
✅ Both help you focus on what’s meaningful, not just what’s urgent.
2. Time Blocking & Routine
✅ Both advocate for disciplined routines to protect your most productive hours.
3. Personal Mastery
✅ Both are rooted in the idea that mastering yourself leads to greater effectiveness and fulfillment.
The model below represents the 3-20 minute segments of the 5 AM Club. Inspire fits nicely into Pockets #2 to plan daily using Inspire’s Daily Calendar and #3 review goals utilizing the many views and reports throughout the platform.
Modern Tools: AI and Inspire Software
The Role of AI in Strategy Execution
Artificial intelligence has emerged as a transformative force in every industry, and strategy execution is no exception. The AI tools in Inspire Software offer insights, automate processes, and provide analytics to help organizations make informed decisions. For example, AI can track Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in real time, suggest adjustments to workflows, and even align tasks with larger strategic objectives.
One of AI’s most powerful applications is its ability to eliminate the guesswork from decision-making. By analyzing vast datasets, AI can uncover alignments, wins, setbacks, patterns and trends that would otherwise remain hidden. This ensures that strategies are not only well-formulated but also adaptable to changing circumstances.
Inspire Software: Connecting People and Processes
Inspire Software is a platform designed to bridge the gap between strategy and execution. By offering tools for goal setting, collaboration, strategy execution and performance measurement, Inspire Software enables teams to align their efforts with organizational priorities. What sets it apart is its integration of Applied Leadership Principles and AI, which helps optimize workflows and ensure accountability across teams.
Imagine combining the timeless principles of the 7 Habits, the decision-making framework of the 5 Choices, and the discipline of the 5 AM Club with a software solution that tracks progress, provides insights, and fosters collaboration. The result is a seamless strategy execution system that empowers individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.
(see video link to see how to apply these concepts in Inspire Software).
Lessons Learned: Reflections on My Journey
Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have started my career alongside the release of The 7 Habits. The lessons I learned from Covey’s work have shaped not only my professional path but also my approach to leadership and productivity.
The intersection of timeless principles and technological innovation has never been more relevant. As we navigate a world of rapid change, the ability to execute strategies effectively will remain a key determinant of success—for individuals, teams, and organizations alike.
Conclusion
Mastering strategy execution is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It requires a blend of foundational principles, disciplined habits, and modern tools. By integrating the teachings of the 7 Habits, the 5 Choices, and the 5 AM Club with AI and Inspire Software, you can create a system that drives meaningful results.
Ultimately, the goal is to align your actions with your values and objectives, while leveraging technology to stay agile and focused. Whether you’re an individual striving to improve your productivity or a leader seeking to transform your organization, the combination of timeless wisdom and modern innovation offers a path to greatness.