The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People And The 8th Habit

by Stephen R. Covey

Brand new in shrink wrap!

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business, Leadership, Personal Development, Audiobook, Buisness

Audio CD

Published January 1, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Stephen Richards Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and speaker. His most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people. He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University (USU) at the time of his death.

Reviews

[GhadeerSobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

احيانا يعتقد الانسان ان كل مايمر به في حياته مجرد من تدبير انساني
ويعتقد ايضا انه لا يستطيع ان يتحكم بما سيحدث في مستقبله

نعم, نحن كمسلمين ومؤمنين بالله عزوجل
وان كل ما يحدث لنا وماسيحدث من عنده عزوجل فان كان خيرا فخيرا وان كان شرا فشرا
شأن المؤمن كله خير ... لا اعتراض

ونحن ايضا كمؤمنين يتوجب علينا التوكل على الله لا التواكل
اعقلها وتوكل
ويجب علينا ايضا ان نصلح ما نجده معطوب , في اي جانب من جوانب حياتنا

وجدت في هذا الكتاب مالم اجده في كتب اخرى نفسية, او بالاحرى مالم استوعبه
ميزته انه سهل وبسيط ويتكون من حكايات للمؤلف فعلا تصف الحالة والموقف
وتساعدك على استيعاب ما قد يحدث لك او قد يحدث

فيه العادات السبعة التي قد نعتقدها بسيطة او سهلة او غير ممكنة, تساعدنا على ادارة حياتنا بشكل صحيح وسليم بعيد عن الفلسفة التي وجدت الكثير منها في الكتب النفسية


لا تفوت قراءة هذا الكتاب

[Prashanth Siddalingaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to be ready to read this book. If you are not in the right mindset you will not get through it. I've owned the book for years. A good friend recommended it since I wasn't sure where I was going in my career. Didn't help and didn't care for it. Then just last year my career was moving at a fast pace and I came across the book on my shelf. (Amazing what your mind points you to when you are focused on a single goal.). I salivated just thinking about running home to read the book. I know....CRAZY guy talkin! But again it goes back to how badly you want something. I want to be better at what I was doing at work and developing skill sets to deal with issues too. I will say for sure I'm a FAR more calm person then I used too be. Bottom line: when you are ready this book will find you.

[Mr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Habits is one of those self-help books that actually has a lot of useful, concrete information that can be taken into practice immediately. It does, however, suffer from the same problem I have with a lot of self-help books; which is that it spends a ridiculous amount of time with paragraph upon paragraph that essentially boils down to: "You're really gonna love the information I'm about to give you in two to three hours or so!"

This doesn't come from a place of bragging or boasting; Covey came across to me as a very humble individual in this book, unlike many other writers of this genre. My personal opinion is that Covey simply didn't have the writing skills to back up all those passages that come before the actual info we all came to read. The info is absolutely fantastic, but the hype for it made me want to take a nap. There were no moments that made me laugh or even chuckle, and there were no in-betweens that made me think: "That really drove home the value of that rule".

If you can find a good summary of this book, you'd save yourself a lot of time. But make no mistake, the information is definitely worth it.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

God forbid I ever become as effective as Gandhi, Thatcher or Mother Theresa 🤮

[Heba Najeeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your life doesn't just happen. Whether you know it or not, it is carefully designed by you. The choices, after all, are yours.
Habit 1: Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life.
Habit 2 is based on imagination .
Habit 3: Put first things first .
Habit 4: Think win win !
Habit 5: Seek first to understand , then to be understood .
Habit 6 : " SYNERGIZE " two heads are better than one.
Habit 7 : have a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.
The eighth Habit : From Effectiveness to Greatness !

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 7 habits is a superb book. I enjoyed every page. Didn't enjoy the 8th habit as much. Overall, excellent and well worth reading. Rises above the anecdotal tips from self-proclaimed personal development experts.

[Flow Wellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been an avid reader of self-empowering books (though ridiculed by so many); intrigued by the ideas and teachings of Deepak Chopra, Bob Procter, Paulo Coelho, Jack Canfield, Rhonda Byrne (how awesome is the movie rendition of The Secret?!), Russell Simmons, to name a few. And of course, indulging in the poetry of both South African and international poets.

When THE SEVEN HABITS made its way into my hands I was studying towards a degree in Marketing. I suffered painstakingly though it! It was not so much the subject matter that I hated, but the fact that I was doing it simply to appease my family. I'm an artist! What was I gonna do in the corporate sector, likely to end up stuck in a 9-to5?
Then, somewhere between being in too deep to cancel the course and starting to entertain the thought of a career in Advertising Media, THE SEVEN HABITS made its way into my hands. It wasn't the first time I was introduced to content of this nature, but understanding and applying the principles in the book unlocked a part of my potential that recognized the posts along the path I was on. Something that stuck with me was "As you renew yourself in each of the four areas (physical, social/ emotional, mental, spiritual), you create growth and change in your life." My repeated reading eventually ended up curling the corners!

Undoubtedly, Covey delivered a guide that challenges, awakens, breaks down and then rebuilds, strengthens, educates, liberates and, I can say, counsels the individual. It may have been THE self help of the 1990's, but I got a hold of it in 2005 and till this day I confidently sing its praises as a timeless contribution to the literature world as well as the universal quest to live full and satisfying lives!

[Russ Eckert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Covey delivers some simple and effective advice. It seems to me that he could have used a lot less words and had a greater impact.

[Amoose Bush · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. This is not me criticizing Covey's advice, but the whole book reads like one of those never-ending click bait articles that takes forever to get to the point.

[❀Alvarez❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My habits have been the BEST since reading this book (in 2018). Associates, Bachelors & Masters degree…SECURED. I like to believe that effective habits like these helped shaped me into the driven woman I am today. ✨📚

[Santi Barrio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been wanting to read this book for a while thinking it would provide some key insights on how to be better and outsmart everyone but fortunately or unfortunately (depends on how you want to see it) it didn't. This book gave some really good examples on how to not only implement these but to get success in the competitive world. I think the most important takeaway from this book is how you approach things instead of the actual doing of it.

Habit 1: Be Proactive (very important!!!)
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: Its better to cut down a tree after sharpening the blade for 80% of the time than just going at it with a dull blade saying you're too busy to sharpen it.

Fav Quote: “If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control - myself.”

[Zhi Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find your voice and help others find theirs. Dr Covey's study follows the basic scientific research principle: back to the basics. That is why his book is all about common sense. People losing their voices is a common phenomena found in every company, particularly in the information worker age. It is hard to place this book against the 7 habits book, but still it is very motivating and informative.

[Debbie Hemmink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een boek die je echt gelezen moet hebben. Erg leerzaam met veel nuttige tips om 'effectief' te zijn zoals; pro-actief zijn, loslaten , en goed leiderschap. Dit alles aan de hand van 'the seven habits'. Eén van de weinige boeken die ik zeker vaker ga lezen!

[Lena Riemersma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though impossibly optimistic, the son of Stephen Covey gives some positive but trite tips that may help deal with adversity while growing through awkward changes in this stereotypical self-help book written by a guy who seems to have seen neither adversity nor awkwardness.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first three habits changed my life, really changed it. Everyone should read this book if they want a strong foundation for personal growth. As for the second half of the book, not so much.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a book worth revisiting again and again to gain inspiration at work and in life.

[Antho2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, it's a reread for me. I printed his habits and posted them by my desk this time. It seems each read, something unique sticks out to me.

[Risa Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read several times - learn something new each time

[Jeffrey Thurber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The core themes of Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People revolve around personal and public effectiveness, emphasizing character ethics and principles over personality ethics and shortcuts. The book provides a framework for building effective habits through proactive thinking, goal setting, prioritization, mutual benefit, empathetic communication, collaboration, and continuous self-improvement.

Personal Effectiveness:

The first three habits focus on personal victory:

Habit 1: Be Proactive: Taking responsibility for one's actions and choices, not reacting to external circumstances.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind: Defining one's vision, values, and goals, and aligning actions with them.

Habit 3: Put First Things First: Prioritizing tasks based on importance and values, not urgency.

Public Effectiveness:

The next three habits focus on public victory, or interpersonal effectiveness:

Habit 4: Think Win-Win: Seeking mutually beneficial solutions in all interactions, rather than pursuing a win-lose outcome.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Empathizing with others' perspectives before trying to have them understand your own.

Habit 6: Synergize: Working cooperatively with others to achieve greater results than could be achieved alone.

Continuous Improvement:

The final habit emphasizes ongoing personal growth and development:

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Maintaining and improving physical, mental, spiritual, and social/emotional well-being.

By practicing these seven habits, individuals can build a stronger foundation for achieving personal and professional success, fostering positive relationships, and becoming more effective in their daily lives.

[Kyndra Lemke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is highly recommended for personal growth, which is why I picked it up. In my opinion this book was too wordy and the points could have been more concise. I wouldn’t completely throw out the book - I think everyone can glean something, but I’ll give you the cliff notes version and you can pick up the book if you’d like more details. There are two main sections, the inner man and the outer man, and then continued effort for growth.

Private Victory (Self-Mastery)
1. Be Proactive: Take initiative, focus on your Circle of Influence, and choose your response to situations rather than being a victim of circumstance.
2. Begin with the End in Mind: Define your values and vision for success, creating a personal mission statement to guide your actions.
3. Put First Things First: Prioritize tasks based on importance (not just urgency) to achieve your most significant goals.

Public Victory (Interdependence)
4. Think Win-Win: Seek mutually beneficial solutions in all interactions, fostering an abundance mentality.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Practice empathetic listening to truly grasp others' perspectives before presenting your own.
6. Synergize: Value differences and work together to create solutions that are better than any single person could achieve alone.

Renewal
7. Sharpen the Saw: Continuously renew yourself physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially.

[Tunde Osilaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps, reading this at an ideal time during a period of transition for myself. The GOAT book for developing a formulaic approach to how to live life successfully. As an textbook "academic" thinker who tends to overthink, this book helps bring organization and clarity to the most important habits that harvests the most successful individuals. If anything else, these "Seven Habits" serve as rallying points for those looking to sustain long-term success and effectiveness -- in any capacity -- throughout the ups and downs that accompany everyday life.

Steven Covey doesn't promise that those who read the book will fall into success. Actually, on the contrary, the successful, sustained enactment of the seven habits require a deep understanding of self -- an attribute that can be fleeting and elusive, at times. He asserts, however, once one does have a better understanding of self and fulfills these habits on a consistent basis, this framework seems to be the common thread that universally links successful people.

I find myself excited for my future, as now I have a clear roadmap for what habits I need to work on that best lead to being a more effective and successful person.

[Ethan McGrory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book very insightful. I really liked his writing style—he breaks down each habit with stories and examples, and he even encourages you to try them out in real-life situations. It’s such a practical way to learn because instead of just reading and forgetting, you’re kind of "learning on the job" through your actions.

One habit that stood out for me was Habit 6, "Synergize." It’s a concept I wasn’t familiar with, unlike some of the other habits that felt a bit more obvious. Covey explains how combining different efforts or ideas can lead to something much bigger than the sum of its parts, which totally shifted my perspective. He didn’t specifically say this, but it got me thinking that every day is an opportunity to synergize—taking small, everyday inputs and turning them into something meaningful over time.

On the downside, I wasn’t a big fan of the "New Insights" sections by his son—they felt a bit unnecessary and slowed the flow for me. But overall, the book is packed with useful advice, and I’ve marked loads of places I know I’ll come back to in the future. Definitely a book I’ll keep revisiting!

[Crystal Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve wanted to read this book for 20 years and finally did. It would have been most helpful in 2013-2015 when I had a lot of work stress. The best part of this book is the new 8th habit bonus and it is also the most applicable in 2022. Some of the original feels a bit dated due to more emergent societal issues. This book would be most appreciated by a person that likes being organized and wants a few tips. I could see how a procrastinating, creative personality may not jive with everything therein. Although he says the tips apply in many circumstances, it feels most applied to a corporate workplace. As a stay at home mom, I found some helpful tips, but otherwise things I’ve already incorporated in my life or others that won’t work. I found it surprising that the definition of “efficiency “ is totally reworked in this book. Certainly, this book is helpful for setting a trajectory for one’s life.

[Richard Angelus · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my 20s, I love to read self-help/inspirational books. Almost all of the authors – contemporaries and books published in 2004 onward – recommend reading this book. When I first saw this book, I thought that it was so thick and wordy. So I didn't buy or even browsing it. But I'm still curious why this book gets so many positive recommendations from many of my favorite authors such as Zig Ziglar, John C. Maxwell and Jim Rohn. Then I have an idea: I downloaded the audiobook and listened to it! The audiobook is narrated by Covey himself. Wow! I'm loving it!

To read my review and chapter-by-chapter summary of Stephen R. Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (2004), CLICK HERE: https://www.richardangelus.me/2018/04...

[Shweta Hinduja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up I would have never thought I would read as many books from the self help section; let along that, I never thought I would read so much non-fiction.

Read this book alongside ‘How to win friends and influence people’ merely for comparative analysis.

Personally I believe self help books are helpful only until you let it. Meaning - apply it. And when you don’t read too many of them cause then you are reading them at the cost of actually working and helping yourself and that can make you feel like a lot of garbage.

Comparing this to other self help books I genuinely feel covey is honest and is working on principles and perspectives inside out. That aligns with most spiritual books too. So, until you are strong and unshakable from within you can’t control things outside viz leadership and relationships.

I have taken notes, and pledge to apply 2020 and beyond!

[Jorge Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

En general el autor me parece muy atinado y actual, a pesar de ser una obra no tan nueva, tiene nociones profundas de lo humano, sin llegar a ser un experto en las ciencias humanas pero con una claridad impactante que muy pocos autores del género de gestión o empresarial conocen. Los 7 hábitos es un libro de cabecera para todo profesional, ya sea gestor, líder o estratega.
He leido 2 ediciones y el libro de la versión en imágenes, no tiene desperdicio y aportan información importante para el desarrollo de toda persona en cualquier ambiente, es por eso que esta herramienta, me parece, es eficaz, recordando que solo es una pequeña parte de un entramado personal y social sumamente complejo que requiere además de herramientas formación continua.

[Nihal Zaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best, if not the best, self development book. May be the superiority of that book, will not easily discovered while reading it, as you may get the feeling that the book states the obvious, the superiority of the book will be felt afterwards may be months after reading it. For as, while most of the self development books demonstrate some not very easy to apply techniques or some " easier said than done" ideas, ideas which you would easily forget few days after finishing the book.That book reveals its self for months to come after reading it. you will find your self re-adjusting your priorities, saving time through more delegation,and some other habits that can be easily applied, easily remembered. One if the few self develpment books that is worth reading.

[Alpesh Ajmera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this book around one year ago. It's really effective book, which gave us the most important the seven habits, which will have to follow while running the business. Those 7 habits things are very effective to everyone who can achieve success in business. The author Stephen R. Covey he is met with 30 successful people then wrote that book with taken their experience their good habits which are important to learn and get success while we are interacting with our clients, consumers, and colleagues also.
So personally, I gave them 5 stars for this book. Because the way of writing this book is very grateful;

[Eva Curran · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is what it feels like to be a highly effective person! I really enjoyed reading this. A lot of it aligns with how I already look at life which felt quite… reassuring?

The last few chapters were a drag but overall a very motivational and powerful book. My only note - the author never uses women as an example. James Clear does this very well.

Started this at the beginning of 75 Days Hard. I’m now halfway through! Onto the next!

[Liana Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sure hate reading non-fiction, but this is a good one. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, and had to speed it up to 1.25x speed because he spoke so slowly.
I’ll have to purchase a print copy because this is a book you need to highlight, underline, re-read and keep on hand for reference.