Review of Stephen Covey’s Book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I want to talk about a book that has changed my life. It is a book that I value and can classify it as one of the books that have added great value to my life. I would like to quote a great philosopher, Zig Zigler, who said that motivation is like a shower, you have to take it regularly. This book has been my source of motivation, and I owe my success to the time I dedicated reading it. Many of us live life without motivation, may it be music, social gatherings or any other modern form of motivation. The book that has given my life a turnaround is “The seven habits of highly” effective people by Stephen Covey. I have spent a lot of time referring to it anytime I come across a minor challenge or anytime I need motivation to accomplish a task. This book has taught me the virtues of independence, interdependence, and continuous improvement. These attributes have helped me fix the weaknesses in me including my day to day challenges like socialization. I have therefore improved greatly and developed value for the book concerning the benefits I have gained from it. You too can change by taking a look at it, I was hesitant for the first time, but I can claim that the book changed my perspective and ability to be open minded in life.

The seven habits of highly effective people is a brief summary of useful techniques of socialization and the. Because I am currently a Mechanical Engineering student at University, the book has been my guide through campus life. It is still a source of reference in case I felt things weren't on the right path. How do you motivate yourself to tackle new things every day? I confess that time is one of the factors that has been a challenge to manage. Through my time with the book, I have learned how to balance all my activities according to their urgency and preference. In my campus life, for example, my course requires undivided attention, from the coursework, term papers, practicals, and lectures. Therefore, in order to overcome this challenge, I had to refer to Stephen survey's first habit of being proactive. I admit that I am not the most active individual, but my course requires a physically capable man who is hardworking. The habit of being proactive according to Stephen Covey has helped me to make rational decisions and choose the path that will lead me to my success.

I have a special liking for Stephen Covey's third habit though. I have a problem of my organizing my work. From the time I wake up, to taking my meals and attending classes. At times, I find myself missing some important meetings, schedules or at times forgetting my duties. Owing to this fact, I have decided to follow Stephen Covey's third habit of putting first things first. I have learned that with the prior planning and making arrangements for your tomorrow’s activities before sleeping, you are set to enjoy a well-planned and organized day. The habit of putting first things first has enabled me to list, my daily activities in the order of their importance, starting with the most important to the least. This way, I have found myself handling much at lesser deadlines. It has also kept me occupied, busy and away from peer pressure that is as a result of idleness.

I know one of my problems especially in school is the lack of continued practice to perfect my skills. In my course, it is required for us to be physically, theoretically and technically fit to handle mechanical engineering related issues, inquiries or tasks. This being said, the seventh habit by Stephen Covey in his book requires an individual to sharpen his saw. Sharpen the saw as a habit of highly effective people has led me to investing more time into perfecting my skills. It is important as I have now been able to accomplish tasks faster due to added practice time. It has led me to believe that perfection is possible with practice and patience. Most of my friends have noticed my change in character and behavior. Although some have criticized it saying that I am trying to act girlish or too serious, I can count on my new lifestyle as I am more comfortable around people these days. The book has taught me leadership traits and courage to face the world, no matter the environment or the people surrounding it. I cannot say that I am perfect, but the little I have gathered from this book has put me in a better place, ahead of my weaknesses. Overcoming fear, naivety, confusion and dullness have been the results of my love to reading this book. Therefore, I can confirm that this is my best book in life that has given me the best encounter on how to live life fully.