Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People

Rating:
Summary: This is my favorite book - in hard competition
Review: I have read this book probably a hundred times. I you haven't yet read it - DO IT! This book lies on my bed side table and has stayed there for years, and will stay there for the future (don't worry - I actually read it quite often). I met Stephen Covey and his son and talked with him in Copenhagen once. He is so authentic and simply an amazing guy. He really struck a cord with this book, and he "plays it further" through his seminars etc.
When you first get his 7 habits under your skin, so many things become so much easier to understand. To act upon the issues is a whole different matter - but understanding is a very good start. The book helps with strategies on how to put the theories into action. I use it to understand and to make my self understood when managing my staff, I try to use the techniques to raise my kids, and I try to manage myself and my future (I don't want to limit this to my career because it goes well beyond this). The only thing that I think is sad is the consulting business that they are trying to build around the 7 habits. There are so many replicates wanting to offer "consulting" but only one original. You should have and keep an open mind when you read this book - I actually met people who never got past page 62 (introduction). Believe it or not...


Rating:
Summary: One of the better self-improvement books
Review: Several of the habits in this important book are critical to personal and career success. Covey certainly borrows from other gurus in this work, but puts it together nicely in a way that makes sense and keeps you interested.

Though this is a book that gained most of it's prominence in the 1990's, it still has important relevance today.

Rating:
Summary: Every home and workplace should have one (or more)
Review: One of the greatest contributions to the field of human potential - a best seller for all the right reasons. The basic ideas are essential for anyone wishing to truly make a difference and achieve. A mindset/worldview that is relevant for everyone and practical/accessible tools.

The book is not an easy read and the CDs might be an easier way to access the profound wisdom that Stephen has put together.

Beware, there is no 8th Habit (despite the book of the same name) - there is nothing new in that book. First Things First and Principle-Centred Leadership are worth reading but this is, without doubt, the seminal work.

Rating:
Summary: Newton's laws in human world
Review: The impact that this book gave me is unmatchable by any other books. Years ago I felt lost in the direction of life, so I searched for many books for guidance, but none could get me out of the gray. Then I found this book on a give-away library cart. What a wonderful give-away gift! I was struck by the story of the battleship, the analogy of the tennis player, and the discovery of Viktor Frankl. The words were so heavy that after I read a few lines, I had to pause and think. Often a couple of sentences were enough to keep me think for the whole day. It took me half a year to finish reading the Introduction ("Inside-Out"), and another year to finish the first three habits. It was during this period of time I started to see life from a totally new and healthy perspective. Thank you, Mr. Covey.

Natural world is governed by Newton's laws. Likewise, funcamental laws exist in human world. Mr. Covey's book is a textbook to explain such laws to all of us who don't understand ourselves, let alone the human world. The book teaches me how to deal with myself through analytical eyes, and how to live a successful life while still keep my soul. The reason most other books did not help me was because they are dealing with knowledge on everything but myself. The book is fundamental yet reachable. The fact that the book becomes a bestseller testifies that every reader knows what real gold is.

Some readers complain that the Habits are difficult to practice in daily life. I don't force myself to do something according to the agenda suggested by the Habits. Rather, I read a little bit of the book everyday for a long time, sometimes by page order and sometimes randomly, and let the thoughts find their places in my mind. Over time, I find myself subconciously practicing his teaching in daily life. The habits are becoming mine.

Five stars are not enough to assess this book's value. Let me quote Warren Bennis' comment about this book: "This remarkable book will be my gift to everyone I know."


Rating:
Summary: if you never read another book...
Review: First, you have to accept that you're never too old to learn; second, you must be prepared and willing to make changes in your own attitudes, behaviour and outlook.
There are many self help books out there telling you to be more positive and so on, but this one describes the habits or rules you need to develop for dealing with life in general, so that the specifics can be dealt with almost sub-conciously. Covey sugests that, if you are in the habit of dealing with life's little problems using the same basic rules of thumb, when the big or urgent problems arrive without warning, you will automatically respond in the right way.
Simple ideas such as "begin with the end in mind" are so obvious, yet how many of us leap at the first - and easiest - solution to our problems, only to find that we have not thought the thing through and we end up in a worse dilemma?
An excellent book, it should be read over a period of a year or more, as you learn and practise the habits suggested.
The only minor negative I would find is that it is very obviously written by an American for an American audience - but, fellow Europeans, do not let that put you off!



Rating:
Summary: One of the best self-help books ever written
Review: This book is powerful because it builds character from a solid foundation. The illustrations explain the author's viewpoints and the examples are applicable to people in most situations. I thoroughly recommend this book. I also recommend the author's latest book "The 8th Habit" where he uses a quote from my favorite book, Optimal Thinking: How To be Your Best Self and says "The key question is "'What is the best thing I can do under these circumstances?'" This use of Optimal Thinking is a simple way to shine and rise above mediocrity!

Rating:
Summary: 7 habits that give you insight of your effective self
Review: Stephen Covey effectively broke down a board concept: effective personal growth, into diagrams and languages that are so easily understandable. The concept of a paradigm shift and the balance of product/ produce capability amazed me.
The book divides into 3 parts: private victory, public victory and a renewal habit. Private victory include being a proactive individual, the habit of beginning with an end in mind (mental visualization) and putting first thing first (emphasize on focusing on something that is not urgent but very important e.g. exercise and health, as opposed to urgent and important things such as seeing a doctor because of poor health.) Public victory include a habit of thinking win/win, empathic communication (seek first to understand others and then to be understood, and the power of synergy that produce creative cooperation. The last habit is to sharpen those 6 habits mentioned.
Being a truly effective person does not require any technique. Covey stresses the importance of conscience and the power that follows by applying it. The seven habits are self-evident and are not difficult to apply in daily living if a person is proactive and demands personal growth. This is a very insightful book that changes you to become a better and more productive member as well as team player.