The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (1990, Paperback, Reprint)

Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" has been around for awhile. Like many things that we have learned, it is easy to forget the powerful thoughts contained in this book. The title is somewhat deceptive. Covey doesn't just talk about habits that will make you a better worker. Indeed, the greatest power of the book is that it recognizes that the best employees are those who have a balanced life; a life that includes family, fitness, learning, as well as work. Covey's style make it easy to see how to implement each one of the 7 Habits, and recognizes that being an "effective person" takes time. One of the few self-help books that I would recommend for an individual, small business or corporation. It has something for all of us.

Few books, in my opinion, have the power to change people's lives like this book can.

I've bought and given away more than 20 of these books to family, friends and associates who were struggling with one part of their life or another. To begin with, I instruct them to read then, RE-read the first 90 pages. This first section is HUGELY powerful and puts "accountability" where it belongs (with us individually). There is enough samples, logic and support for the simple fact that WE are RESPONSE-ABLE for ourselves! This is all part of Habit #1 - Be Proactive.

Socrates once stated: "The unexamined life is not worth living". Reading & studying The 7-habits book(s) (tapes, cd's, etc.) is one of the best ways of examining your life in my humble opinion.

Within the introducton and the first habit alone, I was able to look under my own preverbial "hood" and examing my own engine/programing. Taking a look at the WAY WE LOOK at the world is a huge and powerful thing. Realizing that reality and our PRECEPTION of reality are two different things is a huge eye-opener.

The first three habits in the book are geared toward INDIVIDUAL accomplishment or SELF-mastery. Becoming INDEPENDENT and not DEpendent on others. The second three habits are geard toward INTER-Dependence and working with others. Readers of this book; I encourage you to read, discuss with friends then RE-read (yes, stop there then RE-read) the first three habits of this book during your individual struggle. Continue to re-read until you get a sense of SELF-Mastery. Once your on the right path to SELF mastery, then continue on to the second three habits and then the final habit #7.

The Self-Mastery Habits:
#1 - Be Proactive
#2 - Begin with the END in mind
#3 - First things first

The INTER-Dependence Habits:
#4 - Think Win-Win
#5 - Seek first to understand, THEN to be understood
#6 - Synergy

The constant RENEWAL Habit:
#7 - Sharpen the saw

As I stated earlier, this book has the POWER to change lives. I encourage you to read it while sipping a large cup of humility. This will allow the lessons to sink in better, in my opinion. At no time, however, should humility give way to logic and reason. Use your own humility, logic and reason to analyize the lessons within the 7 Habits and to put it simply - "Live a better life!"

I started reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People on the advice from a friend. He recommended I read the book a few pages at a time, taking the time to let the advice and information sink in. In the world of multi-tasking, his advice was the exact thing necessary for this book.

Stephen Covey does not teach quick "tricks" to make life better; the book is a step by step process through which one can make serious changes in their life. The book starts from the beginning, reminding us that although we often let life dictate out actions, we can choose to take control. The 7 Habits (steps) take a person through a journey that if done with enough introspection and thought, can truly change ones life. It does not just tell you what to do, it tells you how to do it.

It took me 2 years to get through the whole book, I've read many parts dozens of times. The book is an inspiration, and a step-by-step guide to living life how you truly believe it should be lived. I recommend it to anyone, and have given on numerous occasions given it as a gift.

I have this book on audio and hard copy (but I gave it away to someone in a bad spot) so I found a used hard copy here on eBay. I love this book; I have given it to many people to help them get their life on track for success. This is why I always have to re-buy a copy for myself ;) I strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting to become more productive towards what they want out of life.

I also recommend, ‘How to win friends and influence people’, by Dale Carnegie and if you own a business, ‘From Good to Great’ by Jim Collins.

Some books are just plain junk, but these three are hard hitters with REAL information that will help you immensely.

Best wishes, JT

PS, “Don’t let what you want right now get in the way of what you really want”

Do you feel like it's hard to motivate yourself to meet goals? Sounds like a universal problem. I knew an amazing person who lived so wisely and set such an example for us. As I said goodbye to him a few months ago, I asked if he had any books to recommend. He smiled, "Read 7 Habits."
Although this was not the only book helping him make such wise choices, the more I read in Covey's bestseller, the more I saw that he was living these 7 principles. Covey teaches so effectively and clearly how a goal can and should be met. I have weekly goals I set that help me get closer to my long term goals. Rather than consider relying on the phrase "attitude determines altitude" (which isn't bad, it's just not the most effective ethic) consider more permanently that changing within to good personal principles determine good self perception, which is the actual cause of altitude.
The next time you see this book, buy it!