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70 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
Not an E-Z read., 8 Oct 2008
For a personal change book, I found it rather a hard read. The book to me is, well, complicated. The seven habits make sense and all, but the whole process seems to involve making layers of change, with each layer being a whole book in itself. Not a very quick read, and I'm not saying its not worthwhile and all, it's more a book that you have to be willing to work with. Readers who like less sophisticated personal change books might enjoy The Sixty-Second Motivator.
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88 of 103 people found the following review helpful:
Humanistic source of motivation for life change, 31 Dec 2004
This became a major best-seller, highly influential in both management and personal development circles. Covey's seven habits are fairly obvious, fairly simple, yet are lost in the morass of hype and counter-hype his book provoked.Covey looked at the characteristics of the successful, reducing these to seven principles, seven good habits that successful people generally demonstrate. Developing good habits is an advantage: by definition, if they are 'good' habits, they do you good. Brian Clough, the football manager, used to insist that his players learned good habits, that they learned to do the basics, the simple things well; once they could trust themselves to do the basics, then they could progress to try the novel, the special, to inject that little spark of genius which would win the game. But Clough was talking about football, and doing what was necessary to win the game. Covey talks about successful people. You have to keep asking, what constitutes 'successful'? Becoming rich? Or being happy, contented, in harmony with the world and the people around you? Covey suggests you choose your own definition of success. You set your own goals. And, the first thing you have to do is believe that you can change your life. Covey's principles, then, become the yardsticks by which you both measure change and motivate yourself to change - you decide on the good habits Brian Clough demanded, and get into the habit of doing things which will aid your change. Covey, however, relates change and success to quality of life - although his book has often been seized upon as a manual for business success and profit. He says there is no easy way to achieve change. It requires work - and requires that you develop new, good habits while eradicating old, bad ones. It's a simple, logical piece of self-motivation, but it does require you to sit back, analyse your life, and work at change. Covey does not provide a quick fix. He argues that we need to work with others, respect others, show tolerance, and value the rights of others. This is not a recipe for get-to-the-top regardless. Covey identifies the need for values and a moral commitment, for a spiritual aspect to your life. He spends the first 50-60 pages emphasising this. He then identifies the seven habits - be proactive, he says. Believe, go, do. Don't put off or make excuses. Get in the game and try. You can change your world. Set yourself goals, achievable goals, taking a step at a time towards them. Don't rush ahead, 'put first things first'. And so on. Covey provides a recipe for self-motivation and goal setting, and he argues for a holistic approach, for mind, body, the spiritual side being in balance, for working with your partner, family, friends, colleagues, community. It's the harmony and the spiritual which often get cast aside as go-getters try to rush ahead. What Covey presents is simple enough. He writes with purpose and with passion, and it's a very easy book to pick up and begin to absorb, with lots of practical messages as well as theoretical ones. Essentially, however, you have to believe that your life needs to change and that change is possible. Thereafter, Covey will provide inspirational messages and encouragement to develop new, better habits. It's a book which is worth reading, but disregard the hype and use it as a basic means to analyse your own life, lifestyle, hopes, aspirations and potential, and appreciate that Covey is at his best when he asks questions - you are the one, ultimately, who has to come up with the answers.
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62 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent, packed full of insights. A really good read., 30 Dec 2000
I first picked up this book on a news-stand on flying back from the U.S. I found its contents so engaging and enlightening that I had read it cover to cover by the time I got back to the UK. Covey is direct and honest in identifying why we fail to make the most of our lives. He is also honest in telling us that there is no such thing as a "quick fix"; that we have to work on founding our habitual behaviours on a sound set of fundamental principles if we are to get the best out of ourselves and our fellow men/women.I ended up buying a copy of the book for each of my fellow directors and my first line managers. Most read it and found it very useful. Some read and found it revolutionary. Some didn't bother to read it at all. In casting seed, some will always fall on stony ground. My only criticism of the book is its title: "highly effective people". Covey doesn't really take time out to define exactly what he means by an "effective person". And without this definition it does indeed sound like he is out to create an exploitative army of principle-based, robots. However, I consider the title very misleading. It doesn't do the book justice and is rather too delimiting when applied to a profound, yet simple, philosophical work capable of changing one's outlook on life, in or out of the work-place. I would recommend this book to anyone with a genuine hunger to improve their lives and a willingness to engage on this on-going mission in a thoughtful and consistent manner.
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83 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
Great tools to increase both effectiveness and happiness, 13 Dec 2002
Stephen R. Covey holds and MBA from Harvard Business School and a doctorate from Brigham Young University. He is the author of several bestsellers build on this particular book. So what do you write about a book with 253 reviews? Never mind, I'll do my best. (I must apologize that this book review is longer than my usual ones.)"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People embody many of the fundamental principles of human effectiveness. These habits are basic; they are primary. They represent the internalization of correct principles upon which enduring happiness and success are based." Covey has split the book up in four parts: (1) Paradigms and Principles; (2) Private Victory; (3) Public Victory; and (4) Renewal. In Part I - Paradigms and Principles, Covey challenges our thinking and provides an overview of the seven habits. He wants us to shape out thinking so we can see issues from different viewpoints other than our own. This way of thinking he refers to as "a principle-centered, character-based, "inside-out" approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness." And the 7 habits are the tools to make this level of thinking possible. In Part Two - Private Victory, Covey starts to discuss the first three habits. Habit 1 is the habit of 'proactivity', which means more than taking initiative. "It means that as human beings, we are responsible for our own lives." In short, we should not be reactive or responsive, we need to act and create. Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind, is based on principles of personal leaders. It means that should first set out our own values, or our personal mission statement, before we start managing/doing things. He provides several questions and an appendix so that you can create your own personal mission statement. Covey also provides tools to write a family statement and an organizational statement. Habit 3, Put First Things First, is the practical fulfiment of habits 1 and 2: "Habit 3, then, is the second creation, the physical creation." Covey splits activities into a two-by-two matrix based on urgency and importancy. Surprisingly enough, most important is Quadrant II which stands for not urgent and important. According to Covey activities in Quandrant II would make a tremendous positive difference in people's life. These three habits are the parts of Private Victory. In Part Three, Covey discusses Public Victory. This part focuses on interaction between ourselves and outsiders and this interdependence can only be build on a foundation of true independence (Part Two - Private Victory) Habit 4 is called Think Win/Win, whereby "Win/Win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. ... It's not your way or my way; it's a better way, a higher way." Covey argues that we should either choose between Win/Win or No Deal. Habit 5 consists of two parts - (i) Seek First to Understand, (ii) Then to Be Understood - and is probably one of the most difficult ones around since it requires empathic communication, which includes listening! "Although it's risky and hard, seek first to understand, or diagnose before you prescribe, is a correct principle manifest in many areas of life." The other half, Then to Be Understood, requires consideration and takes courage. "When you can present your own ideas clearly, specifically, visually, and most important, contextually you significantly increase the credibility of your ideas." If you can succeed, Habit 6 - Synergize is the highest activity in all life: "the true test and manifestation of all of the other habits put together. ... It catalyzes, unifies, and unleashes the greatest powers within people." Part Four - Renewal is considerably different that the first three parts of the book. It is the circle surrounding the first six habits. Covey calls habit 7 Sharpen the Saw, which is the renewal of the four dimensions of your nature: Physical; spiritual; mental; and social/emotional. Renewal makes it possible for us to move up the upward spiral of growth and change, which ultimately leads to continuous improvement. In the final chapter Covey tells the story of how he and his wife went through the inside-out process while he was on sabbatical leave. Yes, I do like this book. It contains an enormous amount of information, but it is not a struggle due to the simple writing style of the author. Some people will not like this book since it will mean delving deep into their innerselves. But this book provides tools in the form of habits to make it possible for people to become more effective and, most importantly, bring more happiness. Yes, the seven habits are very simple and, perhaps, predictable. And I do not think that they should be taken by Covey's every word, but the the overall picture - "effective, useful, and peaceful lives ... for ourselves, and for our prosperity" - should be the goal! Highly recommended - and not just to business people.
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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
A Terrific Way to Check on Your Habits, 11 Aug 1999
By A Customer
This book becomes more valuable, the more times you read it. An important lesson here is that our lives need to be in balance in a number of ways, in terms of our activities and in terms of how we relate to each other. Dr. Covey's stories are priceless, and will stay with you every day for the rest of your life. He teaches a loving, thoughtful patience that would be a big improvement in anyone's life. Almost alone of those who think about self-improvement, Dr. Covey begins his thinking in timeless principles of how people should help each other. You will find yourself becoming someone you have greater respect for when you adopt these principles. A good idea is to share what you learn here with others in your family and workplace so that you can mutually enjoy the benefits of these concepts.
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28 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
Words of Wisdom, 14 Jun 2006
In this book Stephen R. Covey promotes what he calls "The Character Ethic," something he claims is unlike modern self-help books that instead focus on "The Personality Ethic". Covey's approach is about aligning one's values with principles. Covey proclaims principles are external natural laws/truths, "universal and timeless". Whereas values are internal and subjective, mainly determined by our ubringing and unique experiences. He says it's values that govern people's behaviour but it's principles that determine the consequences. Covey presents his teachings in a series of habits, one chapter dedicated to each habit.
The Habits:
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Overall, this is a very interesting book. Covey has an engaging writting style that makes it addictive to read. Covey offers real words of wisdom, and I guarantee this book will leave you with a sense of 'enlightenment'.
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
A blueprint for the rest of your life!, 8 Feb 2000
By A Customer
Reading this book you cannot help feeling that Stephen Covey must have a lot of balance in his life. He explains clearly an approach to life that encompasses all facets. This is not a book about how to be more effective at work. It is about how to succeed with work, family, friends and hobbies. This is copiously supported with real life examples. At times you read the book and think that the points being raised are so obvious that you don't understand how you missed them before. Be warned - this is not a simple fix - you need to work hard at it. When you do though it can reap huge rewards.
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
A brilliant book which will having something worthwhile for anyone!, 20 Dec 2006
Before I start this I would like to stress I am not a 'tree hugger', 'management guru' or generally a 'lets all sit in a circle on beans bags with the talking stick' kind of person - In short I live in the real world where you sometimes have to upset people to get things done, the odd argument helps clear the air and I have no plan to become CEO for the next multi-national.
However ... this book is genuinely stunning. It really will force you look at how you go about your daily life, consider how you can be more effective and as a result generate more time for the issues that are important in your life. Some of Covey's ideas are a bit too out there for me and living a Quadrant 2 lifestyle is all too much! There is though a heck of alot of decent stuff in here and even if you only take 50% of what is offered then you will be better for it.
I considered buying the workbook which accompanies this book but it is a bit too 'Janet and John' for me and I instead used a notebook and pen to jot down some thoughts and quotes to consider later down the line. (Far cheaper and much more user friendly for me). Hence my advice would be take the odd note as you work through this book.
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Answers the one question people ask.. Why am here?, 1 Mar 2000
By A Customer
I had heard about this book through a friend and actually borrowed his copy before buying my own copy. My MD saw me reading it and explained that of all the personal change books he has read that this one is the best. I argree 100%, not only that but this has triggered off the first mentoring program in the company I work for. The result has been ground moving and it just goes to show that despite what we want to believe we can make a choice, and not let our circumstances hinder us from getting to the path laid out. Being read in line with the most sort after book in the world, this book helps people to actually walk and live life to the fullest. It makes it so practical and no longer allows us to blame psychology, or other people for the choices we have made or the consequences that follow. Some people may read this and it wouldn't mean a thing, others would read it once and that would be it, however I advice that you not only read it but live it and you will see.... what life is really all about
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29 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
Simple yet profound!, 16 Nov 2008
I really enjoyed reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R Covey. Covey starts with the premise everyone is born with these traits and one has to practice and cultivate them.
My favorite chapter is "WIN/WIN". Covey's premise is there are 6 paradigms of humans interaction and that WIN/WIN is not a technique it is a philosophy of human interaction. Relationships can be mutually beneficial, everybody wins! "It is not my way or your way but a better way, a higher way." This chapter reminds me of the "Golden Rule" (Do unto others what you would like them to do to you) which I was taught as a child.
Another book I really enjoyed was Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment by award winning authors Ariel & Shya Kane, This is a wonderful book of short stories that are all about accessing the moment and living a satisfying and fulfilling life.
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