Polarity in Covey's Seven Habits

[jkmuller]

I've just finished reading through Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and found it to be different than I had expected. I assumed it would be more like a time management book because of the title so I was surprised at how deep it went. I think I enjoyed it more because of this. During the time that I was reading Seven Habits I was also reading Steve's posts about polarity and I noticed that Covey talks about the concept as well.

"To the degree to which we align ourselves with correct principles, divine endowments will be released within our nature in enabling us to fulfill the measure of our creation."

Covey is clearly also interjecting his own religious beliefs in these quotes, but the concept is vividly there. Interestingly Covey also takes the concept in only one direction of love (or "correct principles" as he calls it) whereas Steve sees two options in love and fear. There were some other parts that really reminded me of the polarity concept but I can't remember where I saw them.

Did anyone else notice this? Who else here is a fan of Covey's work?

[Antiventurecapital]

I have been a voracious reader ever since first learning how to read but I barely got through this book. Snoresville. Why did you read it? What were you looking for?

[Frimmin]

I agree that the Seven Habits was a great book. I think what most resembles the polarity concept is Covey's idea of the "emotional bank account" with withdrawals (fear, inflow) and deposits (love, outflow).

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

I have been a voracious reader ever since first learning how to read but I barely got through this book. Snoresville. Why did you read it? What were you looking for?

Antiventurecapital, if you enjoy personal development books, you'll enjoy Stephen Covey's 7 Habits. Stephen's writing can be a bit dry but it's invaluable because he has a unique message.

Even though there are lots of gems spread throughout, the most concise summary I can think of is that character precedes personality, and principles precede values.

I can have a winning personality on the outside, but if my inner character is lacking it will eventually bring me down. I can value money highly, but if I don't follow first principles like taking care of my body while working for it, it will eventually bring me down.

(If you can't get through reading it, check out the audio program )

His time-management book is First Things First, equally excellent.

[vaibhavsharma]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

I have been a voracious reader ever since first learning how to read but I barely got through this book. Snoresville. Why did you read it? What were you looking for?

Hi Antiventurecapital.

I agree with you, at times Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" gets very dry, monotonous and boring. When I was going through it, couple of years back, I had exactly the same experience and feeling. Luckily, I chanced upon Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens authored by his son Sean Covey.

Now, yes I hear you saying "I am not a teen anymore". Well, neither was I. I mean at the time I was reading these books. However, Sean's cover all the principles and is much more absorbing. You can start with Sean's book and then move on to Stephen's book. This really worked for me and I started enjoying Stephen's book.

Kind regards
Vaibhav Sharma
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