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Description
In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen R. Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. With insights and anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, service, and human dignity -- principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.
Media reviews
Borrowing slightly from the concepts of Quantum Mechanics, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People begins with the astute observation that people perceive the world differently, and because we view the world with our own unique "lens," it is difficult to separate the observation from the
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observer.
Covey says that we all have our own paradigm, which is our own map of how we perceive the world and how we think the world should be in our ideal view. Covey writes, "The way we see things is the source of the way we think and the way we act."
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User reviews
LibraryThing member JonathanGorman
Disappointing in a way. Some good points, but the good advice is scattered between long-winded buzzspeak. The stories are the weakest part. All the people involved talk exactly like the author and the situations are stretched. There's little, if any, followup with the people who "sudden stand up
Some of the management stuff reminded me of peopleware, which I preferred. The whole part about mission statements seems a little...well, hollow. (What if there was a great team, but they never came up with a mission statement? Was there ever an only adquate or bad group and they became successful because they came up with a mission statement? The latter is what I'm more curious about.
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during meeting x and see the light" to see if it really helped or if they're just the type of people who seek attention by doing this type of thing. I can tell stories too, but that doesn't make the scenarios any more likely to happen.Some of the management stuff reminded me of peopleware, which I preferred. The whole part about mission statements seems a little...well, hollow. (What if there was a great team, but they never came up with a mission statement? Was there ever an only adquate or bad group and they became successful because they came up with a mission statement? The latter is what I'm more curious about.
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LibraryThing member ezwicky
Much of the advice is good. Unfortunately it is couched in sexist, dated, annoying terms that make me want to fling the book at the author's head, even when I agree with him. Which I don't, always; some of this also is personality-dependent, and isn't going to work for my style. The author appears
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to believe that's my fault. Show Less
LibraryThing member jorgecardoso
Unlike many other books that might be classified as personal development, self-help or self-management books, "The 7 Habits..." does not give you quick rules. The book describes a principle-centered approach to life and habits based on that approach. The title might suggest a time-management book,
The habits are by no means quick and easy solutions, they require a lot of effort, strength and perseverance, but they all just "feel right".
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but it is not. It is not a GTD-like book and it will not keep your inbox at zero.The habits are by no means quick and easy solutions, they require a lot of effort, strength and perseverance, but they all just "feel right".
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LibraryThing member thewalkinggirl
I can't take any more. Yes, despite how little effort this takes to read, it's DNF.
Maybe because all the good ideas have already been stolen by other books and leadership seminars I've been to?
Maybe because so much of it seems like the author took a lot of techniques and discrete skills, understood
Also, it's a lot more Jesus-y than I was expecting. Which I could deal with, if the rest of it was better, but it's not, so... I'm done. That said, if you like Jesus-y stuff, you might like this entire thing more than I did.
Maybe because all the good ideas have already been stolen by other books and leadership seminars I've been to?
Maybe because so much of it seems like the author took a lot of techniques and discrete skills, understood
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that they need to be tied together and the closest tie he could identify was character? It feels looking at a puzzle after someone put it together in the dark: all I can see are the missing and misplaced pieces and it distracts me from the whole.Also, it's a lot more Jesus-y than I was expecting. Which I could deal with, if the rest of it was better, but it's not, so... I'm done. That said, if you like Jesus-y stuff, you might like this entire thing more than I did.
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LibraryThing member MommaBroom
This is a wonderful self-help book with a Christian focus. But even if you are not Christian, the basic concepts are still worthwhile. Covey requires you to really look inside yourself and discipline yourself. I could only read the book in short spurts because he makes you THINK!! And not only
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think, but to apply these concepts takes serious focus and determination. Show Less
LibraryThing member ablueidol
As a tool to aid self reflection I find these useful but they inhabit a world in which the right attitude along a "can do" leads to heaven on earth. In reality what about the boss that sees you as a threat and the family that depends on you to keep that job? What if you were one of the most
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effective people in the organisation but that threatened the bosses who then marginalised you? I have had a boss that took one look at the bullying and disempowering culture that I was coping with by disengaging and promptly resigned rather then collude with it. However she had a partner who worked and contacts able to get her work. Am I being the “good” guard at the concentration camp? Show Less
LibraryThing member ldmarquet
Stephen had a tremendous impact not only on my life, but through me, on the lives of those I had the privilege to lead. It started indirectly, when, after a period of reflection and tough going I discovered the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The overall approach of private victory then public
Later, when assigned to command the USS Santa Fe, I applied his 7 Habits approach at the organizational level. I gave every officer and chief who reported a copy of his book. We would have seminars discussing the various habits and the application of those habits made Santa Fe a more effective submarine.
It turned out that Stephen was doing some work for the navy and learned about what we were doing on Santa Fe. He expressed an interest in riding the ship and the navy set it up. We were scheduled to conduct a one-day transit from the port of Lahaina on the neighboring island of Maui back to Pearl Harbor. This would be a perfect time for him to ride. It was also when we had set up a family member cruise and were expecting about 80 family members to ride as well.
I was apprehensive about having both events at the same time. I thought the presence of the family members would present a distorted picture of how Santa Fe operated. Further, I wasn’t sure how I’d appropriately apportion my time between running Santa Fe, Stephen, and the family members.
It worked out perfectly! Stephen was working on a book for families and held a special talk just for the family members. His message was that they played a critically important role in the success of the ship and placed high value on family. It was a win-win.
Stephen spent the entire day onboard, talking with crew members, looking through the periscope and driving the ship. He was tremendously interested in the people, and how they worked together. Everyone he talked to felt better about themselves afterward, especially me.
He remained interested in how Santa Fe did and was happy to hear of the subsequent successes the ship had, including the selection of 9 of the officers for submarine command. I was honored that he included USS Santa Fe in his book, The Eight Habit, and agreed to write the foreword to Turn the Ship Around!
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victory, describing our growth as proceeding from dependence through independence to interdependence struck me as incredibly simple yet powerful. I applied what I learned to my life immediately.Later, when assigned to command the USS Santa Fe, I applied his 7 Habits approach at the organizational level. I gave every officer and chief who reported a copy of his book. We would have seminars discussing the various habits and the application of those habits made Santa Fe a more effective submarine.
It turned out that Stephen was doing some work for the navy and learned about what we were doing on Santa Fe. He expressed an interest in riding the ship and the navy set it up. We were scheduled to conduct a one-day transit from the port of Lahaina on the neighboring island of Maui back to Pearl Harbor. This would be a perfect time for him to ride. It was also when we had set up a family member cruise and were expecting about 80 family members to ride as well.
I was apprehensive about having both events at the same time. I thought the presence of the family members would present a distorted picture of how Santa Fe operated. Further, I wasn’t sure how I’d appropriately apportion my time between running Santa Fe, Stephen, and the family members.
It worked out perfectly! Stephen was working on a book for families and held a special talk just for the family members. His message was that they played a critically important role in the success of the ship and placed high value on family. It was a win-win.
Stephen spent the entire day onboard, talking with crew members, looking through the periscope and driving the ship. He was tremendously interested in the people, and how they worked together. Everyone he talked to felt better about themselves afterward, especially me.
He remained interested in how Santa Fe did and was happy to hear of the subsequent successes the ship had, including the selection of 9 of the officers for submarine command. I was honored that he included USS Santa Fe in his book, The Eight Habit, and agreed to write the foreword to Turn the Ship Around!
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LibraryThing member bsanner
Offering a "principles-centered" approach to leadership, Covey provides a mostly anecdotal account of the character and task of the effective leader. Covey highlights seven habits central to personal change: (1) be proactive; (2) begin with the end in mind; (3) put first things first; (4) think
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win/win; (5) seek first to understand, then to be understood; (6) synergize; (7) sharpen the saw. A useful and necessary, if at times clichéd, overview of character-driven leadership. B+ Show Less
LibraryThing member C-One
Profound in intent and highly educational in delivery. This book is a must-have for those seeking mastery over self in order to influence outcomes or attain positive results in their lives. What I found particularly interesting was Covey's 'circle of influence' theory and that of 'private
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victories' preceding the 'public' ones. Verdict: Self-help at it's best. Show Less
LibraryThing member jahn
There’s some advice here for Christian businessmen on how to become more Christian and robotic, but mostly it is just self-praise by the author. Trashy, very – but with a quite fancy title.
Book starts with 6 pages of accolades, invariably from other self-help authors. I’m used to that,
Book starts with 6 pages of accolades, invariably from other self-help authors. I’m used to that,
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having bought a few “how to write” books and through this come to realize that self-help authors are a close-knit community (who do not differ in what little advice they offer, only in type of encouragement), but it still looks odd in a book that has sold 15 mil. Show Less
LibraryThing member maine-iac
I have had this book on my reading list for a while. This books has been a valuable catalyst in my personal development. On one hand there is very little that is shocking. As the author freely admits, he does not consider the principles that these habits embody to be his, but universal. While I
You do not have to be unhappy with your life, job or marriage to find benefit in this book. What the book helped me with was to make clear to where I needed to improve. Although Stephen Covey is a religious man, he had written the book in such a way that can be approached and understood by anyone from the atheist, to the agnostic and the religious man.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a direction or approach to give their life more mean and purpose.
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think most people will find an innate understanding of each of these habits, Stephen Covey is blessed with an ability to clearly explain them in a way that will help you grow if you chose to follow them.You do not have to be unhappy with your life, job or marriage to find benefit in this book. What the book helped me with was to make clear to where I needed to improve. Although Stephen Covey is a religious man, he had written the book in such a way that can be approached and understood by anyone from the atheist, to the agnostic and the religious man.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a direction or approach to give their life more mean and purpose.
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LibraryThing member Soultalk
I have read this book numerous times and come away convicted to work harder at being more effective every time I read it. I think that the content and principles in this book are, for the most part, spot on and very helpful. The deficit that this book carries is that these are seven habits for a
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very specific personality group and mindset. If you are a flighty, creative type save yourself the frustration of trying to cram yourself into a different shaped mold. Read it once, figure out a personal application, and then turn it into paper mache. Show Less
LibraryThing member temsmail
This book is the main text of a secular religion. Stephen Covey is/was a practicing Mormon; this, however, is his personal religion and faith. Reading his preface, Covey says that the more he practices his own principles, the more he realizes that he has not actually put his own principles into
I say this is a secular religion because there are scant references to God or Scripture, but each principle is referred to as an ultimate principle. A Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Mormon, Catholic, Unitarian, or Baptist could all equally practice Covey's principles without equivocation.
So, the principles are useful insofar as they are also utilitarian; Covey's ideas are dangerous insofar as they place human effort above God's Sovereignty and Grace. There is no mercy here, only work and self effort.
Be careful reading and implementing the principles of this books to not lose sight of Whose we are, and Who is really in control.
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practice. This is a religion of salvation by works, though Covey does not say that in so many words. On page 11, Covey wrote that the ultimate source of his principles is God.I say this is a secular religion because there are scant references to God or Scripture, but each principle is referred to as an ultimate principle. A Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Mormon, Catholic, Unitarian, or Baptist could all equally practice Covey's principles without equivocation.
So, the principles are useful insofar as they are also utilitarian; Covey's ideas are dangerous insofar as they place human effort above God's Sovereignty and Grace. There is no mercy here, only work and self effort.
Be careful reading and implementing the principles of this books to not lose sight of Whose we are, and Who is really in control.
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LibraryThing member Neale
If I was asked to recommend one self help book to improve your whole life this would be it. Its easy to read and the suggestions are not hard to implement. It deserves a couple of reads one, to get and overview and another slower read to implement change.
LibraryThing member PghDragonMan
The best time management system and certainly the most publicized. There's no big secret in what Covey has to say, it's how he says it that makes it worth while.
LibraryThing member Cherilnc
This book is simply amazing. I'm even inclined to say that I enjoyed it more than "Think and Grow Rich," which I thought was impossible to beat. I highly recommend it. Full of wisdom, insights on family values, personal leadership and so much more, this book should be required reading for all.
LibraryThing member Todonnell525
There is much more to this book and the series of books than I first thought. I thought it was a bundle of cliches and ignored the work required to develop all of the ideas into actual habits, used daily and in all circumstances. I have a lot of work to do on this package.
LibraryThing member Clueless
SO during our skiing holiday I was locked in a room with only one book. It was Stephen Covey's The 7 habits of Highly Effective People. Once again I am probably the last person on the planet to have read this popular book.
"natural laws cannot be broken. It is impossible for us to break the law. We
How many times have I seen this with fitness and nutrition? People trying to coerce their body into doing something it is incapable of. So much better to work with you body's natural laws to coax it into doing what you want it to, to the best of it's ability. I also got two more of his books. After reading 'First things first', I keep asking myself, 'am I trading doing something good for doing something better?'
I find it depressing that these books expounding boyscout virtues had to be written at all. Don't people already know this stuff?
Favorite quotes:
Suppose you’ve been having trouble with your eyes and you decide to go to an optometrist for help. After briefly listening to your complaint, he takes off his glasses and hands them to you.
“Put these on,” he says. “I’ve worn this pair of glasses for ten years now and they’ve really helped me. I have an extra pair at home; you can wear these.”
So you put then on, but it only makes the problem worse.
“This is terrible!” you exclaim. “I can’t see a thing!”
“Well what’s wrong?” he asks. “They work great for me. Try harder.”
“I am trying,” you insist. “Everything is a blur.”
“Well, what’s the matter with you? Think positively.”
“Okay. I positively can’t see a thing.”
“Boy, are you ungrateful! he chides.” “And after all I’ve done to help you!”
What are the chances you’d go back to that optometrist the next time you needed help? Not very good, I would imagine. You don’t have much confidence in someone who doesn’t diagnose before he or she prescribes.
But how often do we diagnose before we prescribe in communication?
"natural laws cannot be broken. It is impossible for us to break the law. We
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can only break ourselves against the law.'"How many times have I seen this with fitness and nutrition? People trying to coerce their body into doing something it is incapable of. So much better to work with you body's natural laws to coax it into doing what you want it to, to the best of it's ability. I also got two more of his books. After reading 'First things first', I keep asking myself, 'am I trading doing something good for doing something better?'
I find it depressing that these books expounding boyscout virtues had to be written at all. Don't people already know this stuff?
Favorite quotes:
Suppose you’ve been having trouble with your eyes and you decide to go to an optometrist for help. After briefly listening to your complaint, he takes off his glasses and hands them to you.
“Put these on,” he says. “I’ve worn this pair of glasses for ten years now and they’ve really helped me. I have an extra pair at home; you can wear these.”
So you put then on, but it only makes the problem worse.
“This is terrible!” you exclaim. “I can’t see a thing!”
“Well what’s wrong?” he asks. “They work great for me. Try harder.”
“I am trying,” you insist. “Everything is a blur.”
“Well, what’s the matter with you? Think positively.”
“Okay. I positively can’t see a thing.”
“Boy, are you ungrateful! he chides.” “And after all I’ve done to help you!”
What are the chances you’d go back to that optometrist the next time you needed help? Not very good, I would imagine. You don’t have much confidence in someone who doesn’t diagnose before he or she prescribes.
But how often do we diagnose before we prescribe in communication?
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LibraryThing member bhwong
I got this book about 15 years ago as a gift from a publisher, lend it to a friend who lost it and brought a new copy for me. Still, I didn't touch it until I am searching for important answers to life this year.
In summary, the author believes that to be truly effective, our center of life must be
In time management, there are quadrants:
1. Important and Urgent (Deadline-driven projects)
2. Important but Not Urgent (Relationship building)
3. Not Important but Urgent (Phone calls)
4. Not Important and Not Urgent (Pleasant activities)
We always end up busy in Quadrant 1 and 3 because these are urgents. Yet to be truly effective, we need to invest time in the important Quadrant 2 activities. In fact, by investing in Quadrant 2, we are preparing ourselves to handle future Quadrant 1 activities. For example, if we invest in building up our knowledge and upgrading our skills (Quadrant 2 activities), we can avoid making ignorance mistakes that will lead us into handling Quadrant 1 activities such as correcting those mistakes.
The author gave a very good example :-
Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree and asked him "What are you doing? You look exhausted!". He replied "Can't you see? I'm sawing down this tree for over five hours!". You suggested him to take a break and sharpen that saw, but he replied "I don't have time to sharpen the saw, I'm too busy sawing!"
Sharpening the saw is Quadrant 2 activity that will prepare you to work more effectively in sawing down that tree, which is a Quadrant 1 activity.
In summary, the author believes that to be truly effective, our center of life must be
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based on timeless principles, because money, church, friends, family, work, pleasure or even self are inconsistent and unreliable. If you depend on these insecured sources as your center, you will end up reacting according to their ever changing action upon you. You feel good only when these factors are in good conditions.In time management, there are quadrants:
1. Important and Urgent (Deadline-driven projects)
2. Important but Not Urgent (Relationship building)
3. Not Important but Urgent (Phone calls)
4. Not Important and Not Urgent (Pleasant activities)
We always end up busy in Quadrant 1 and 3 because these are urgents. Yet to be truly effective, we need to invest time in the important Quadrant 2 activities. In fact, by investing in Quadrant 2, we are preparing ourselves to handle future Quadrant 1 activities. For example, if we invest in building up our knowledge and upgrading our skills (Quadrant 2 activities), we can avoid making ignorance mistakes that will lead us into handling Quadrant 1 activities such as correcting those mistakes.
The author gave a very good example :-
Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree and asked him "What are you doing? You look exhausted!". He replied "Can't you see? I'm sawing down this tree for over five hours!". You suggested him to take a break and sharpen that saw, but he replied "I don't have time to sharpen the saw, I'm too busy sawing!"
Sharpening the saw is Quadrant 2 activity that will prepare you to work more effectively in sawing down that tree, which is a Quadrant 1 activity.
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LibraryThing member micheaun
Excellent book!!! A book that will change the way you work and operate in general.
LibraryThing member all4metals
What can I say. This is the classic book on leading an effective life.
LibraryThing member pavelm
This book started a transformation in my life. I look at the world with a different set of eyes now thanks to that book.
LibraryThing member jeaneva
In these days, a lot of people are wondering what Mormons' religious beliefs lead to as a philosophy of life. Read Covey. Wholesome, motivating, inspiring.
LibraryThing member bbrown1
great book, really helped me realize i could take better control of my life
LibraryThing member apartmentcarpet
This book is always a good one to re-read. The habits are really common sense, but sometimes you need to sit down and remember them.
Subjects
Publication
Covey Leadership Center
Original publication date
1989