The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Rating:
Summary: Deep Thought Provoking Look at Yourself
Review: (. . .)P>In a somewhat wordy and lengthy discussion (thus the 4 stars), Mr. Covey presents the reader, in a peaceful and non-judgemental fashion, a way to examine one's life style, and make a few changes that WILL (I say that intentionally) help the reader. There are a wide variety of personal habits that can be examined by the reader as this book is read, and then possibly applied to the reader's life-style. The theories are very stimulating and non-threatening, so they appear as friendly offers to a better, more organized life style. I have found that Mr. Covery's ideas are very good, and have applied some to my world, and feel very good about the results.

As I said earlier, there are times when less words may have resulted in more being said, but I see that as personal preference, not a major problem with the writing. I suggest that you read this book, without fear of wasted time, and use the materials as a base to make any changes you feel may be helpful to your life's situations. Well done Mr. Covey.

Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for anybody who wants happiness and success
Review: Covey is easy to understand, and his teachings are solid. He skillfully leads you through some mental exercises that open up new vistas of insight. The concepts themselves have stood the test of time; it's Covey's presentation and way of tying everything together that work the apparent magic. I read this book nearly 10 years before writing this review, and have referred to it often since then. Covey's contribution to mankind, through this book, is major. "Seven Habits..." may well be one of the great life-changing tools of our time. Why should you read this book? As Covey says, "Put first things first." This book lays a firm foundation from which you can reach new heights--both professionally and personally. If you have any desire to take control of your life, to be happy, to succeed--this book (or tape) is for you. If you enjoy chaos, uncertainty, and failure, don't read this book.

Rating:
Summary: STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVENESS
Review: Stephen Covey outlines the best strategies for maximum effectiveness in this great book. The fact that this book has remained a best seller for over 15 years should tell you something about the merits of the informmation that it contains.

Highly recommended book.

Rating:
Summary: The Book That Makes a Difference
Review: This book made a big difference in my life since it challenged me to change the way I thought professionally and emotionally. After reading the book, my relationships with my workers had changed for the better (I reduced turnover in my business dramatically and fostered an incredible team spirit within each of my employees) and I also ended a marriage with a woman who constantly dragged me down instead of lifting me upward. My life is now on track because of this book.

The book also gives you tools (lists, diagrams, and organizer inserts) that aid you in becoming more highly effective. Stephen R. Covey provides deeply personal examples of his effective growth change. The book is inspiring. Everyone else on this site who has given a bad review of this book must not know effectiveness from a hole in the ground and must not have read the book all the way through practicing the end-of-the-chapter "exercises".

Rating:
Summary: This book has definitely changed my life for the better.
Review: This is a book that has changed my life irrevocably and forever. It required great energy, patience and time to read, one with much meaning and very deep in content. In fact, after struggling through the first two Principles outlined in this book I found myself putting it away on the shelf. For nearly a year it sat there and I didn't pick it up again until I had another reason to. The second time around I could not put the book down and took prolific amounts of notes. The third time I read it I learned even more.

This book is about self, about becoming the true you and living your life optimally. This is not a pep-rally or a psychological breakdown of "The 100 Top Tips to Boost Your Self-Esteem". The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is all about understanding where you can (should) be taking yourself in your life. The influence, the support, the understanding, the energy that Dr. Stephen Covey discusses comes from within yourself; it is not an external influence that fades as soon as the source is gone. You create it; you live it; it becomes you and you become it. These principles are not subject to the whims of others. You create yourself, you build upon yourself and you become an effective person in your life through learning to help yourself and others. You learn how to graduate from dependence to independence and then even further on to a higher level: interdependence all by looking deeply within yourself and following seven sound principles that are laid out in a very logical, rational and emotionally-sound manner. The principles behind Dr. Covey's ideas are based on faith in self, community and God. He helps you to understand the philosophy, "Love Me for Me."

In The Seven Habits, Covey talks about the Personal Mission Statement. This is a project that you create, write, rewrite over and over until it describes the person you most want to be. Then you simply spend the rest of your life living those beliefs until you become that person. It is probably the easiest, yet most difficult thing you will ever do in your entire life. Why? Because you must devote your entire life, and energy to this task. How easy it is to become side-tracked and slide into old habits of comfort. But these old habits are the ones that you want to rewrite with new, better habits. This is a difficult road to follow. It is also, without a doubt the most rewarding activity you will ever do in your entire life. After all, the most rewarding things in life are often the most difficult.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best business/success books out there
Review: Unfortunately, during my experience with corporate America I've had several business/success books thrust upon me. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is the only one that was worth reading.

This book, coupled with the First Things First training I received at work has had an enormous impact on me. Five years later, I still organize my life based on my mission statement, roles, and goals. I plan weekly and take time out to Sharpen the Saw. I don't always live up to the seven habits, but at least I'm going in the right direction. Periodically I pull this book out of my bookshelf and flip through it to reinforce the lessons it contains. It's also one of the few books I've ever bought someone as a gift.

My biggest criticism is that Covey has a tendency to beat you over the head with examples. Numerous times as I read the book I thought to myself, I get it, move on. My other big complaint is that this book coined the word "proactive," which is believed to mean the opposite of reactive, but actually means that the person using it is an idiot and needs to resort to using made-up words to appear highly effective.