Book Review: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Introduction

Stephen Covey's book is one of the wonders of present-day mindfulness creation. It has sold a million copies each year since its release in 1989, has been translated into 32 languages, and forms the academic foundation of a broad association (Covey, 1989). Covey’s book struck a nerve because it demonstrated to many people what genuine responsibility was about. Blaming ‘the economy’ or ‘my employer’ or ‘my family’ for our troubles was useless. To achieve fulfillment and personal power, we must decide what we will take responsibility for, what is in our ‘circle of concern’. Only by working on ourselves can we hope to expand our ‘circle of influence’. The author discusses the need for a positive paradigm shift from character ethic to personality ethic in US society. According to the author, our paradigm revolves around our attitude and behavior and shapes our relationships with others. Human society needs a mini paradigm shift for behavior improvement. Here, the paradigm lies in the eyes of the beholder, referring to our perception of the world. What we see leaves an imprint on our minds. Covey cites many examples of managers and evidence to convey an understanding of this phenomenon.

Book Review: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Be Proactive

Every step in life leads you toward a new opportunity. If you want to produce desired results, do things differently and be ready well before time to face life's challenges. Life is a happening. For every happening, it is not fair to blame the older generation and genetics for their bad habits; rather, it is time to take on the responsibility to hold the reins of time and pave the way for future generations. Pro-activism is a kind of initiative that blocks the blame theory. When human initiative and a sense of responsibility combine, better decision-making will result. According to Covey, being proactive is about taking responsibility for your life (Covey, 1989).

Begin with the End in Mind

This habit clearly means keeping in mind the ultimate goal of your life; it states victory at a good price. There should be a clear definition of success in your mind. All things are created twice: first mentally and then physically. Covey emphasizes the importance of envisioning your desired future and setting goals accordingly.

Put First Things First

Learn to prioritize the most important work and learn to say 'NO' politely. Stop wasting time on unnecessary things and start giving more time to family, health, etc. Covey advocates for effective time management and aligning daily activities with one's values and goals.

Think Win/Win

One person's success does not have to mean another person's failure. We need to learn to create balance in situations that satisfy both parties. While it may not always be possible, understanding what others need and what you need and then reacting accordingly can lead to better outcomes. Covey suggests that a win/win mindset fosters mutual benefit and collaboration (Covey, 1989).

Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Without empathy, there is no influence. The main problem is communication among people, which destroys every relationship. True listening provides important mental space for the other individual, opening a window to their soul. Covey emphasizes that effective communication starts with empathetic listening.

Synergize

Helpful energy results from the interaction of different affinities. When you have big goals in your life, you need synergies to achieve quality success. Covey argues that synergy allows individuals to achieve far more together than they could alone.

Sharpen the Saw

We need to balance the physical, spiritual, mental, and social dimensions of life. Before doing anything, it’s important to understand the core need of the situation; reacting before understanding will only lead to temporary success or failure. Covey advocates for continuous personal renewal and self-improvement to maintain effectiveness (Covey, 1989).

Conclusion

It has been said that Covey's seven habits are just common sense. While they may be simple in isolation, when combined with the objectivity of principle-centeredness to guide them, they can create the synergistic energy that Covey celebrates. The 7 Habits provides readers with strategies for making small changes that can lead to significant transformations.

References:

• Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Free Press.