Book – The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Author – Stephen R Covey
Publisher – The Business Library Australia, 1990
Rating – 5
“To the degree that we align ourselves to correct principles, divine endowments will be released within our nature in enabling us to fulfil the measure of our creation.”
By centring our lives on correct principles and creating a balanced focus between doing and increasing our ability to do, we become empowered in the task of crating effective, useful and peaceful lives… for ourselves and for our posterity”
This groundbreaking book describes the seven following habits and the behaviours to apply them in our lives:
HABIT 1 BE PROACTIVE – Principles of Personal Vision
- Focus on your circle of influence – the things you can do something about
- Take responsibility for your life
HABIT 2 BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND – Principles of Personal Leadership
- Develop your vision for your life and philosophy for how you want to live your life
- Identify your roles and goals in your life areas, and visualize your desired outcomes
HABIT 3 PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST – Principles of Personal Management
- Manage your self by putting first things first.
- Organise and execute around balanced priorities
HABIT 4 THINK WIN-WIN – Principles of Interpersonal Leadership
- Adopt an abundance mentality
- Take the win-win approach
HABIT 5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD – Principles of Empathic Communication
- Employ ethos, pathos, and logos – personal credibility, empathy and logic.
- Influence others by example
HABIT 6 SYNERGIZE – Principles of Creative Cooperation
- Understand the essence of synergy –the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
- Value the differences between people
HABIT 7 SHARPEN THE SAW – Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal
- Balance and renew – physically, socially/emotionally, mentally, and spiritually
- Rejuvenate your spirit – Meditate, pray, read uplifting books, spend time in nature
True success and enduring happiness occurs as you integrate basic principles of effective living into your basic character.