By Muhammad Ahmed, 5 Blue

The journey continues—and today, I’m excited to celebrate another incredible milestone! My latest leadership essay earned a strong 83 out of 100, and while it may not be my highest score, it represents growth, learning, and a deeper understanding of the powerful 7 Habits. Every round, every challenge, and every reflection shapes me into a better leader, one step at a time.

“Leadership is not about being the best. It is about making everyone else better.”

Learning Through the 7 Habits

This achievement comes with its own proud moments and valuable lessons. My essay focused on the two foundational habits:
Habit 1 – Be Proactive
Habit 2 – Begin With the End in Mind

The judges appreciated how clearly I explained both habits and how they apply to real-life leadership situations. They especially highlighted the clarity and structure of my essay and the way I connected leadership to teenage life in Pakistan.

One piece of feedback that made me smile was the praise for my example:
A proactive teenager would report bullying instead of ignoring it.
This simple example shows how leadership begins with courage, initiative, and responsibility.

My Essay: Leadership and the Roots of the 7 Habits

Leadership is not just about holding a position—it is about the actions we choose every day. In Pakistan, teenagers can take meaningful steps to support their communities when they follow the right principles. The first two habits, known as the roots of the 7 Habits Tree, are especially powerful because they build responsibility and vision.

Habit 1, Be Proactive, teaches us to act instead of waiting for someone else to fix a problem. Whether it’s reporting bullying, organizing a clean-up drive, or helping solve a class issue, being proactive shows maturity and leadership.

Habit 2, Begin With the End in Mind, reminds us to set clear goals and work toward them with focus. I shared an example of a teenager planning a healthcare volunteer project—step by step, with a positive outcome in mind. When we know our destination, our actions become stronger and more purposeful.

These habits create confident, caring, and responsible individuals—qualities Pakistan needs in its youth.

Where I Can Grow

Of course, leadership is also about reflection. The feedback I received helps me understand how to become a stronger writer and thinker:

✨ Glow:
I explained both habits clearly, used real-life examples, and organized my essay well.

🌱 Grow:
I need to explore how all seven habits connect to leadership, not just two—and include more personal experiences.

This is the part I’m most excited about. I know the other habits—like Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, and Seek First to Understand—also play a huge role in shaping great leaders. I look forward to writing more deeply about them and sharing personal moments where I applied these habits myself.

Inspiration All Around Us

Leadership doesn’t require a title. Pakistan is full of inspiring figures who showed leadership through service and vision:

• Malala Yousafzai, who fought for education despite danger

• Abdul Sattar Edhi, who devoted his life to the poor

• Shaukat Khanum, who built a hospital that gives hope to cancer patients

Their stories remind me that even small actions can create big change—especially when powered by strong habits and strong hearts

The Road Ahead

This score of 83/100 motivates me—not to be perfect, but to be better. Better with transitions, better with grammar, better with connecting ideas, and better with sharing honest reflections. Every bit of feedback guides me toward clearer writing and stronger leadership.

Leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a daily choice.
And I’m choosing to learn, grow, and keep moving forward—one habit at a time.

Thank you for being part of my journey!
More learning, more effort, and more leadership ahead!