The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R Covey
My late uncle recommended this book to me almost thirty years ago. He was erudite and commanded universal respect from friends, family, and the community. I ignored his recommendation until I attended a course on 7 Habits a few years later. This was a game-changer for me and remains a reference guide until today.
Dr Covey emphasizes the need to focus on core human principles over values like humility, integrity, a sense of justice, and truth.
Principles transcend time and culture and will set you on the path to success. Values evolve over time and never remain constant.
The book provides a framework through the seven habits to grow personally and professionally.
These seven habits are as follows.
Be Proactive: You always have a choice. Focus on what you can control and influence.
Begin With the End in Mind: Create clarity with your end game. Create a personal mission statement.
Put First Things First: Prioritize tasks into quadrants of urgency and importance. Focus on important matters first.
Think Win-Win: Seek an outcome that benefits all parties.
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Listen, Listen & Listen.
Synergize: Recognize differences and unite people.
Sharpen the Saw: Continuously improve yourself - physically, socially, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
All seven habits are explained in simple language, making the book easy to read even when I first read it.