Rating: 
Summary: Take it seriously and you'll be glad you did!
Review: I was looking for a different kind of self-improvement book and this is the one.I expected that habits to be tactical in nature (like plan by the week instead of by the day or carry business cards with you all the time, innocuous examples to be sure, but I'm being extemporaneous here). Instead the habits that Mr. Covey discusses are heavy-duty and strategic, if you will, in nature. I've been so impressed and so glad that I found it that I have purchased three sets of the audio version, one to keep and two to give away. I also purchased some of his related books and tapes. Believe me. It's improved and will continue to improve my life. Thank you Mr. Covey.
Rating:
Summary: An all time great book
Review: This book is one of the best you will find in the personal and professional development field. Stephen Covey sets out a path that we can all follow to move from being dependent on others to being healthily interdependent.
Rating:
Summary: A very effective, highly motivating book!
Review: This book is truly wonderful, and applies the rule of knowing oneself before knowing others. Dr. Covey really clearly communicates the core principles of the 7 Habits.
I truly was impressed with the organization of the book and its ability to inspire me to become more effective all around. Sort of like a personal trainer with you to motivate you around the clock. All I heard about this book was absolutely true and it is an excellent book on personal goal setting and time-management!
Rating: 
Summary: Ok but there are better more insightful books in this genre.
Review: Although extremely successful -- this book practically created an industry -- I found it rather run of the mill. There are many other books and gurus in this genre and to me this was not particularly inspiring, original or credible. I would have expected such a well qualified author to provide more supporting evidence to support his theories. So, in summary: OK, not bad but rather over-hyped.
Rating:
Summary: Time Management Miracle
Review: Author or Under the Lontar Palm ISBN: 1588510980
It's about time! We all have the same amount of time, only this book shows you how to use it most effectively. Stephen Covey also teaches the value of personal responsibility and tough self-assessments. 7 habits is a must read and must study for all.
Rating:
Summary: This taught me the power of values
Review: One of the ways, I benefited from this book, is that I was able to share it with my father. There has been poor communication between us over the years, and this provided a good paradigm for talking to each other. First, I just decided that I would call on a regular basis, just to provide the oppurtunity to communicate. Second, I send him a copy of the tapes, read by the author, since he's not much of a reader, but he could listen to them in his car. The result has been a real healing of a father-son relationship, which had really gotten pretty frayed around the edges. Another way, that I benefited from this book, was that it re-asserts values, versus goals. When I discovered this book, I was working for a company which didn't match my values. There wasn't much that I could do about it, but it was great to have a book that said "It's okay to affirm your values, and it's important." This is where the difference between characted oriented leadership and behavior oriented leadership makes a difference. Ultimately, I was let go by that company, but it was a good transition, because I felt affirmed in my values; If I had compromised my own values for that company, and it had let me go, I would have really felt betrayed. Even if I had stayed, I would not be happy, because I would essentially be deceiving myself about things that are really important. So, I urge you to read this book, at least a couple of times, I promise that you will get something postive out of the experience. One last note -- This book became such a sensation, and then a cliche during the 90's, that it might be difficult for some to take this book seriously. This book has more staying power than that, stay open, because it's more than just trite rewording. It's impactful stuff.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic book!
Review: Sharpen that saw! It might sound silly, but it's not. What an amazing change this book has brought into my life. Originally I thought this was the Worlds Most Boring Book, and then something happened to me. It was like a flash of inspiration which completly changed my whole way of thinking. Now I'm getting better results, and making really significant progress.
Rating: 
Summary: Effective Goodwill-driven Metamorphosis
Review: In Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey has developed a compelling argumentation and methodology about the relevancy of knowing oneself before knowing others. Covey's treatise on the human condition reflects the perennial Greek philosophy that has been articulated around three sequential concepts: ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos is one's character built on integrity and competency. Pathos is all about one's emotion-driven relationship with the outside world. Logos is the logic side of one's relationship with the surrounding environment. One cannot achieve success, a relative concept in the eyes of his/her beholder and his/her fellow humans, without first adopting an inside-out approach that is based on the best possible understood balance between mind and body. That balance that one projects into his/her interaction with the outside world influences the perception of others and bounces back to him/her. To his credit, Covey gives a seven-step methodology that allows the able and willing to eventually change without prescribing an illusory one fit for all as an answer to arising challenges and opportunities.
Rating:
Summary: Nice abstract, but lacking examples
Review: While Dr. Covey manages to clearly communicate the core principles of the "7 Habits" in this abridged version, the lack of examples might negatively affect the listener's ability to quickly apply the underlying principles in day to day business situations. Therefore I recommend to listeners with a business focus to spend a few dollars more and invest in the unabridged version. If you're looking for an easy to understand version of the "7 Habits" that can be readily applied in day-to-day life, take a look at "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families" instead.
Rating:
Summary: The enemy of the best is the good!
Review: I read this book years ago and have recommended it to my colleagues and employees. The book clarifies the path from dependence to interdependence, a path many people do not fully understand. I have been a CEO for the past 20 years and have never been one to settle for second best. I agree with Covey's statement "the enemy of the best is the good" and was delighted to follow his recommendation to Optimal Thinking. We are now implementing the 7 Habits and Optimal Thinking throughout our organization.
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