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Summary: Stephen Covey's 7 Habits an Old Friend Even After 10 Years
Review: There is no question that Stephen Covey's book, THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE:POWERFUL LESSONS IN PERSONAL CHANGE, has been one of the more important books about how to personally achieve excellence--millions of copies have been sold. His ability to collect the wisdom of the ages and then organize and articulate it in a way that makes sense to those of us who are less skilled is truly inspiring. I read the book when it first came out ten years ago and have frequently revisited it over the years. It has been an "old friend" providing a context for my understanding a variety of "paradigm shifts" in both my professional and personal life. It has also been used, and is still used, in my company as a leadership development tool. I recently re-read it and can again highly recommend it. If you like this book, you might also like to read another fairly recent book that I have found to be very powerful. The title of the book is WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK by Ariel and Shya Kane. Whereas Mr. Covey seems to focus on incremental, personal change and working on the development of new "habits"-a "change model"-the Kanes focus on "awareness" (in an anthropological sense) of "what is"--of "one's own behaviors" and of the "behaviors of others"--as a vehicle for personal transformation, greater achievment and personal satisfaction--a "transformation model" vs a "change model". Interesting contrast in approach--I think you'll like it.
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Summary: An extremely profound and insightful book
Review: I cannot recommend this book enough. Stephen Covey's book about the seven habits is profound, chock-full of knowledge and insight about the human mind and spirit, and a treasure of information in all areas of life. I find personally that it has given me a wealth of information about myself, and several areas where I've gone wrong, and it has given me a profound insight into what life constitutes, and has revived a sense of gratitude for life in me, such as I never had before. And I strongly believe it will not only have flooded my mind with understanding, but also, that years from now I can look back and see the impact it had on my life. Thanks for a great book.
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Summary: Personal Change, control of the controlable!
Review: This book shares the truth, of what most of us really want: Control of Our Own Lives! I read this when it came out in 1990.... felt I couldn't attain these goals. WHY? because I didn't feel I could reach out & share this with others. Funny thing happened, I started doing just that! Once I realized I WAS actively doing so many of the positve things 7 Habits suggested, I had to sit down & reread this book. Where I "thought" it would be too hard, I found just the direction my mind needed to go. I'm now very active in Mentoring, & loving every minute of it. I can't begin to share the joy, & feeling of accomplishment this has brought me.
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Summary: Helpful & Informative!
Review: This CD/Book is chock-full of practical advice & information for the person who is personally disorganized, & in need of help in all kinds of work situations. There's a lot of information to think about & register in your mind, so I suggest as you listen to the CD, make sure you have a pen & notebook handy to take notes--you'll need to in order to remember key, pertinent parts, & also, you'll want to reflect back, & memorize the info. given. I also suggest that you take frequent breaks to make sure you understand what you've heard, to just stop & think about what he just said, to re-listen to important points he makes to make sure you're following & "getting it". There's no way to lose listening to the practical advice, views, hints, & strategies given, & I highly recommend for every corporate employee, no matter what your "rung" on the ladder.
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Summary: a descriptive of character development
Review: I think this book is a most excellent treatment on the topic of character development. Some of it does seem like common sense, but people generally have varying degrees of common sense. It teaches us how to be effective with others in the context of our own values that we develop. I have a colleague who is naturally a "7 habits" kind of people and is quite successful in both his personal and work life. I had learned much from this person and the "7 Habits" book put it into "writing" for me. If anyone finds this text too dry try the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers", also I recommend "Going the Distance: 7 Steps to Personal Change" by Rick Hansen and Dr. Laub. This text describes what happens to a person when they go through personal change and how to set up an effective goal-setting plan. It's indeed a pleasant read.
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Summary: By far one of the best ever. A classic in every sense.
Review: The first time I ever read this book, I couldn't put it down. The introduction alone was very good. It's hard to tell sometimes what makes a book so good especially a self-help book.What makes this book stand out among a crowded field of self-help boks is that it's so much different, and isn't that nice for a change? This book is not about goal setting in the traditional sense or positive thinking. You won't find catchy phrases to say to yourself when you look in the mirror each morning. This book is about getting to the core of your soul. It's about who you are. I would compare this book to other self-help books the same as comparing losing weight through a change in lifestyle to simply dieting for a while. Too much of our society is bent on instant gratification. We scratch the surface of our health, for instance, by going on crash diets to look good on the outside, yet we haven't changed our core self. You can chant all the positive phrases you want, but it will only offer a temporary solution. Cheerleaders don't win football games; they just try to make you feel good. Some people may be turned off by this book because it is not a "how to" book in the traditional sense. You are required to incorporate the 7 habits into your life in order to make it work. There are no shortcuts and no exercises to do. It's not easy at all. It requires a fundamental change in your outlook on life. I have difficulty rating what I like best about this book. I found the chapter on "Think Win Win" to be my favorite with "Seek First to Understand, Then be Understood" as a close second. Too many of us try to compete in life without seeing the big picture. I'm giving this book 5 stars because I think it is a cut way above the rest of the self-help literature of the 20th century. It's not filled with silly platitudes and quotes you can put on your wall. It is deep, very deep and very thought provoking. If you want shortcuts and simple little exercises like most books give you, then don't waste your money on this book. If you want to take a good hard look at your life from the inside out, then this book is a real bargain.
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Summary: a good read
Review: There are a lot of good points about effective human behaviour in this text that can be applied to work and personal life. It has a good emphasis on personal leadership. If people find the text too dry try "7 habits of highly effective teenagers". Same material written in a more relaxed context. If you like this book another text that marriages quite beautifully with this one is "Going the Distance: 7 steps to personal change" by Rick hansen and Dr.Laub.
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Summary: A very helpful book
Review: This book speaks truth. Everyone, no matter what level you are at, could learn something about living more successfully by reading this book. The Seven habits are so natural and true that I smacked myself on the head a couple (more than a couple actually) of times while reading this book. Over and over Covey stated things I already knew deep down, but had never thought of in the particular and perfect way that he phrased it. I am in a group that has been studying books that we believe will help us live more effectively. This book is the best secular one we have read. I recommend it.
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Summary: Common Sense?
Review: Many of you claim that this book simply represents "common sense." What is actually happening to you is this: you think it is "common sense" because it makes GREAT SENSE. If it is just "common sense", could you have put it into such an understandable, organized work like Covey has? Did you have these habits in mind before reading the book? Do you want to hear a miracle solution or a bunch of philosophical rambling? This book is powerful because it makes GREAT SENSE (or SEEMS like common sense), and it hits you like a brick when you read it. The fact is that this book can be life altering if one takes it seriously. It's simple, and that makes it very implementable. But, it's very profound in what it can do for you. There are some incredible self-improvement books out there, but I recommend this one to start.
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Summary: If you read it and apply it, your life will change
Review: I firts bought this book in '95, and I only read it,and enjoyed it, but not applied the several easy to follow exercises that are spread all over the book. Last year, my wife, who had problems leading with some of her 14 employees, and was totally overwhelmed by the job, saw the book at my desk and gave it a glance. We commented it, and she applied it. Nobody can believe what a change in her work !. Not only this !, the relationship with the woman who cleanes our house, and takes care of our children has changed also. She is a lot more responsive now !. And last but not least, where I work (a large enterprise with many people) I was able to explain and apply some of the principles taught here and also have a big improvement in our efectiveness and in our day to day relationship. If you only read this book, I assure you it will you change the way you look at things ("paradigm shift") but if you practice what it says, you'll sure see a real change in your everyday life and job. Only one bad word to say : There are two books by SC with almost the same name: "The 7 habits of highly effective people....powerful lessons in personal change". and this "The 7 habits of highly effective people....restoring the character ethic". The first of them has no comments - I suspect it is the same book , almost the same number of pages, some months of difference - . Believe me, if you read this book, it is worth every dollar it costs.
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