The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This was the first book that piqued my interest in human dynamics and relationships. Steven’s seven habits ask us to examine our patterns of interaction with others and consider how we can think and act differently in our work. Steven’s approach opened my eyes to some bad habits I had, while also inspiring me to learn more.

Along with a few business dilemmas and dramas, this book set me on a path of inquiry about humans, relationships, work ethics, and the power of words and conversations. 

This classic set the foundation for how many of us approach time, responsibility, and personal leadership. Covey’s principle-centered approach influenced my own values-first framework in Time Bandit.

I still return to his quadrant model (urgent vs. important) and have expanded on it in my own work with the Eisenhower Matrix.

I read this book at a crucial time when I was struggling with leadership as a business owner. It had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life, which were always closely intertwined.

The 7 habits truly resonated with me, and I was amazed at how simple it felt to apply them. I learned how to be more proactive, set clear goals, prioritize my tasks, and nurture relationships. This book reinforced the importance of aligning my personal values with my actions to create real success.

Embarking on a journey toward success requires a strong foundation in the tools to get you there. Steven Covey’s book is a classic in this genre for exactly that reason. Once we have an idea of where you’re going and what you need to do to get there in life, we need a way to ensure you execute that plan effectively.

This book gave me those critical tools to ensure I didn’t miss anything important. I’ve always found that getting the basics right is the biggest key to success, and this will get you started on the right foot.

I've added this one by Stephen Covey to my Favorites because its insights impacted me. Though some of its terms may show their age, the timeless wisdom within resonates powerfully.

Covey's message about personal responsibility and the power of choice seems even more relevant today amidst a landscape of growing self-entitlement. His words ring true: "We are free to choose our actions, but we are not free to choose the consequences." This stark reminder amplifies the book's significance and enduring relevance. I

found it an essential read for my personal growth and character.

I loved this book because it reminded me to be proactive and focus only on things within my control. I focus on making self-discipline a priority in my life because it leads to habits, which lead to results and success.

Building habits based on principles and character, such as integrity, humility, courage, and empathy, leads to fulfillment and true success. It also reminds me to consistently align my actions with my values in order to build meaningful relationships. Words and actions matter because they build trust and respect.

Both of us read this book separately in the early 90s and started applying these habits, which have stayed with us ever since. These habits have given us a solid foundation for anything we have wanted to do in our lives.

You learn how to create your own vision for your life, clarify the most important values to act on, and use basic communication skills to create trust and synergy with the people around you. You also learn the importance of nurturing and managing yourself to be healthy, enjoy your life, and be able to be there for others.

These… show more.

An oldie but goodie!

I love Covey’s book because it has helped me teach personal effectiveness to so many clients over the years. I find his approach to be very adaptable to different styles and preferences, and that helps my clients to manage their time and boundaries more easily, which is a critical skill to help avoid burnout.

A great book is like a great song: you have to read it over and over again to grasp all its nuances and value.

This book is one of those great books. The author presents us with an original way of looking at life and adopting seven habits to become highly effective in all circumstances. I first read this book over twenty years ago, and I've reread it just as many times since. Each time I read it, I realize how easy it is to forget to put these good habits into action.

After so many readings, all I have… show more.

“Mr Covey has a knack of dressing up spiritual principles in pinstripes,” observed one commentator. This 1990 bestseller reinvigorated the personal development market almost singlehandedly.

It covers several major topics, not limited to but including: being the master of your own destiny, setting goals and priorities, managing your time and separating out the ‘important’ from the ‘urgent’, showing empathy towards others, and thinking ‘win-win’ in relationships.

Nowadays, there are many ‘self-help’ books on topics such as developing habits and time management, but they mainly rehash Covey with far less authority.