The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - No Cost Library

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

   Author(s): Stephen R Covey  

Publisher: Free Press, Year: 2004   

                                        

 Description: 

Named the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century.

“Every so often a book comes along that not only alters the lives of readers but leaves an imprint on the culture itself. The 7 Habits is one of those books.” —Daniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive.

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25 years. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators, and parents—in short, millions of people of all ages and occupations across the world. This twenty-fifth-anniversary edition of Stephen Covey’s cherished classic commemorates his timeless wisdom and encourages us to live a life of great and enduring purpose.

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Book Review:

The book by Covey hit a chord because it showed many individuals what true accountability was like. It was pointless to blame the 'economy' or 'my lousy boss' or 'my dad' for our troubles. We have to decide what we will take responsibility for, what is in our 'circle of concern,' to have fulfilment and personal strength. We could only expect to extend our 'circle of impact' by focusing on ourselves.

In brief, the seven habits are:

1. Only be proactive.

We have the liberty of selecting our responses to stimuli. We don't have to live according to the scripts given to us by family or society. The way consciousness tells us that it was intended to be lived, we take total responsibility for our life.

2. Start in mind with the end.

At my funeral, what do I want people to think about me? We create the ultimate goal or individual first, by writing our own eulogy or making a personal mission statement, and work backwards from there.

3. Place the first stuff first.

We may schedule our days for full efficiency and pleasure, having the end in our mind. With the people and stuff that matter, our time is spent.

4. Think winning / winning.

The success of one person does not need to be done at the cost of others' success. We never risk our own values in finding win / win outcomes.

5. Try to learn, to be understood then.

There's no power without empathy. There is no confidence without deposits in the emotional bank account of relationships. Genuine listening provides the other person with a precious psychological air, and opens a window to their soul.

6. Synergization.

Synergy emerges from all the other habits being exercised. This creates 'third alternatives' or ideal results that can not be inferred from the sum of the parts being added up.

7. 'The saw sharpen'.

We need the physical , cultural, mental and social aspects of life to be balanced. To improve productivity,' sharpening the saw' means taking the time to frequently refresh ourselves in these fields.

Last comments

The seven habits of Covey have been said to be merely common sense. They may be on their own but placed together in that series and they can create the synergy that Covey celebrates with the philosophy of principle-centredness to sustain them. The 7 Habits provides readers with the means to alter the little to turn big.