Who has read the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

[JaiS]

Hey guys,

I think this is the most principle based book on human effectiveness and would be keen to connect with people who have read it.

How have you found applying the principles and habits to your daily life. Its something I've read around 7 times and find it quite challenging to live the habits every day...

Regards

Jai

[Orator]

I have read this book and this is a must read book if you really want to realize your professional dreams. It starts with the word: be proactive. The writer says most of us are reactive by nature and blame external circumstances for your failures whereas proactive people can rise despite any adverse situations. They are not slave to their environment. They have full control over their circumstances. A big step is to study your environment and exert your influences upon them rather than get swayed buy them.

Begin with the end in mind: This is about choosing your end. This has been a cliché in fact and has its sheen. Yet we have to be very careful about carving out our way since if we pursue successes that will take away all our dreams this is a sort of failure. You have to make sure the kind of life you want and if you choose you will work according to your vision and will not let outside forces to shape your dreams and future.

Put first things first: This is a matter of decision and you must choose to do things you value and prioritize most. You should have the ability to say no if needed



Think win-win: Feel you are integral to the rest of individuals and you are not an island. This makes you collaborative with the rest of your compatriots. Do not think they are your competitors and you will have to push them behind to march forward.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood: This is a breakthrough approach and you must learn to listen prior to making your statement. The trend is we try to put across our ideas without listening to what they have to say. Do listen to them to understand what they mean and then make them understand what you mean to say. This is effective communication.

Synergize: This breeds the capacity to cooperate, a kind of teamwork and in fact if we put our heads together we can come up with better ideas than we could do singly

Sharpen the saw: It is about honing your assets and balance your all aspects of life. All your four areas like physical, social, motional and spiritual must be balanced

Now Dr. Covey has come up with yet another important habit called the 8th habit. It is about reaching a state of reaching greatness from effectiveness.

[Clint Cora]

I agree that this should be a must-read.

[janicelou]

Why we do not read books like this in public school I do not know! We are too busy reading books like "where the red fern grows" interesting!!



The 7 habits has made a significant impact in my life. I highly advise you read this at least once!

[sling15]

I have read this book and it is one of the best books out there. I think sharpen the saw is one of the most effective and also the hardest to implement at times but you realise the benefits of doing it, when you do it. I think it is probably the most important benefit. I also have his other book called the 8th habit which is also good too and I think you should read it.