Excellent book - would love to work for a company where the employees and the senior management team still believe in these basic principles. If you work for such a company and can use someone with 17 years of expertise as a Federal Agent with 5 of the most recent years in management, please send me an e-mail: smallwoodgirls@yahoo.com

I read The 7 Habits for the first time in 1993. It changed my life. I consider it basic training for human beings. It provides a simple yet complete framework for ordering one's life, priorities, and goals. I highly recommend this volume to anyone. After you've read this volume and attempted to apply it to your life, I recommend that you follow it up with a reading of Covey's The 8TH Habit: From Effectiveness To Greatness. Both books pay you back in spades.

This book is one of the best business books ever written. Hands down this is a must read. If you own a business this is a great book to give to managers. Whole organizations can benefit from this book. I found it very helpful and the hundreds of people I have passed it onto have also.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People may be the most influential book I have ever read. I have witnessed its principles put into practice with tremendous results. While the book does contain great pointers on business and leadership, the most potent thrust is, as the subtitle implies, in "personal change". There is not a person on this planet who could not improve their life by reading this book and applying what is written. The wisdom herein is so insightful and so broadly applicable that I can say that Mr. Covey has written a book with the potential to drive the whole of humanity forward...that is, if we'll listen to what he has to say.

One of the best books I've ever read. The part I like the most is when Covey shows that we all need to break our paradigms, because we always think we are right. This book helps us to be better people and to understand other people's points of view.

This book is unique among most of the self-improvement books published in the last century because "7 habits" focuses on what Covey calls "The Character Ethic" instead of what he calls "The Personality Ethic". The Personality Ethic states that success is a function of public image, attitude, and the process of human interaction. Covey believes that The Personality Ethic focuses on the superficial, rather than the underlying problem of character. The Character Ethic states that the foundation of success is made up of attributes like fairness, integrity, honesty, and patience. Components of The Personality Ethic naturally flow out of a person who is rooted in the principles of The Character Ethic.
Instead of focusing on specific motivation strategies, Covey focuses on creating the mindset a person needs before they can be motivated. I can't reccommend this book enough.

There are many books on leadership, many ideas of how to achieve success and effectiveness. "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", by Stephen Covey, may be used as a tool to help each of us become successful leaders, both of ourselves and of others. Within this book, the reader will encounter a conceptual framework which successfully illustrates how each and every one of us may construct and refine ourselves in order to achieve what the psychologist Abraham Maslow described as the pinnacle of human potential, self-actualization. In short, Covey shows how each of us may become capable of virtually anything. Within each one of us resides unique human capacities of imagination, conscience, independent-will, and self-awareness. Through these unique capabilities, and by focusing on the development of our own personal character strengths and reparations of our faults, each of us can achieve a higher level of existence, regardless of our position, regardless of what we have or haven't done. By reading this book, the reader will come to understand the difference between the processes of doing and being, come to understand what it means to have true ownership of themselves and of their lives, and arrive at a realization of what it means to be truly interdependent. If you are struggling with issues of dependency, as most of us do, whether they belong to you or another, Covey's book will both enable and ennoble each of us to reach higher, grasp farther, and look deeper into ourselves and others than we have ever done before. In this book, I have found a method that may be just as inspirational to you as it has been to me, a framework that has allowed me to recognize how I may develop the potential that each of us holds deep within ourselves. Regardless of your point or station in life, I recommend this book.

Covey is a classic just as this book is. He's a true Guru. Just buy the book and work the plan. You will not go wrong. It's not a lot of "cheerleading" and motivational fluff. It's a plan of action from the first to the last page. If you follow it - your life will change.

My past months pick for best books are the two SKBF Publishing's best selling which was recommended by anther reader and I am glad I listened
1) Rumi & Self Psychology (Psychology of Tranquility)
2) Sara's Therapy: The Way to Purity (A session by session therapy for self growth)
And two other books
3) Seat of the Soul
4) Changing your anxious mind
Who am I? No one important, just read a lot of books about psychology and spirituality and science. I love telling people about the books I like.

In browsing my book shelf I came upon and then found myself rereading this incredibly simple yet profound book. The principles and ideas Stephen writes about are truly ways to discover how to live your life as the person you want to be. I especially found the section where Stephen writes about how powerful unexamined attitudes and perceptions influence how I react toward situations and others. Once I started looking at my predetermined thoughts...those same situations became less mundane and irritating. My experiences became more authentic, meaningful and enjoyable instantaneously. Stephen writes of this as a "paradigm shift", where our attitudes and behaviors, left unexamined, shape how we feel and act in our life in mechanical patterns.

Two authors that have also inspired and ignited my passion for living a magnificent life are Ariel & Shya Kane. The Kanes works: "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment", "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life", "How to Create a Magical Relationship" and their internet radio show "Being Here" on [...] are all indispensable sources I turn to in supporting my well-being in all areas of my life. I highly recommend the Kanes and Stephen Covey classic, timeless book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."

In browsing my book shelf I came upon and then found myself rereading this incredibly simple yet profound book. The principles and ideas Stephen writes about are truly ways to discover how to live your life as the person you want to be. I especially found the section where Stephen writes about how powerful unexamined attitudes and perceptions influence how I react toward situations and others. Once I started looking at my predetermined thoughts...those same situations became less mundane and irritating. My experiences became more authentic, meaningful and enjoyable instantaneously. Stephen writes of this as a "paradigm shift", where our attitudes and behaviors, left unexamined, shape how we feel and act in our life in mechanical patterns.

Two authors that have also inspired and ignited my passion for living a magnificent life are Ariel & Shya Kane. The Kanes works: "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment", "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life", "How to Create a Magical Relationship" and their internet radio show "Being Here" on Voiceamerica.com are all indispensable sources I turn to in supporting my well-being in all areas of my life. I highly recommend the Kanes and Stephen Covey classic, timeless book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."

"What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say." ~ Emerson

"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is a book I'd heard about so many times I actually thought I'd already reviewed it. Once I realized the book was new to me I started reading it with very high expectations. From the start Stephen Covey seems to meander through a wide variety of loosely related topics. By page 77 I went to read all the one-star reviews because I needed a break and seemed to be bored. I agreed with many of the reviews but felt I should give the book another try so I kept on reading.

The book became more interesting as Stephen Covey started to talk about being reactive vs. proactive. I did think that perhaps some people were offended by the thought of working on yourself instead of blaming others for your problems. I figured that might explain some of the negativity as some books work like a mirror to reveal your faults. The other complaint I have to agree with is that Stephen Covey has a very complex writing style. He also keeps referring to the same examples over and over again - the golden eggs and the goose is used so many times I lost count but felt irritated each time it was spoken of again. Once would have been fine and for some reason it just set me on edge each time I read about it. He also uses the word "paradigm" obsessively.

In this book you will also learn a lot about his family's strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure I would have told some of the stories in this book because they seemed too personal. He calls his sons "honey" in the book and that would seem more appropriate if he was talking about his wife. I always feel for a writer's families as they are exposed in a light I find unattractive.

So what did I learn from this book? Here are the seven things I learned:

1. Be Proactive
2. Write a mission statement for my life
3. Prioritize
4. Seek mutual benefit in all human interactions
5. Listen more and talk less
6. Value difference
7. Take care of body and soul - exercise, meditate, be an eternal learner, cultivate meaningful relationships

I liked the ideas of using visualization to create success. The ideas about writing a missions statement for your life and being opportunity-minded seemed like good ideas. The quotes in the book are quite good and since I collect quotes I was happy to have found some new ones that were very meaningful.

For the most part I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be more successful especially in business. I think the ideas are good but for the most part felt that the book was overrated and at times rather irritating. I didn't feel good or "seasoned with love" while reading this book so I'm only giving it three stars.

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." ~ Albert Einstein

~The Rebecca Review

"What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say." ~ Emerson

"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is a book I'd heard about so many times I actually thought I'd already reviewed it. Once I realized the book was new to me I started reading it with very high expectations. From the start Stephen Covey seems to meander through a wide variety of loosely related topics. By page 77 I went to read all the one-star reviews because I needed a break and seemed to be bored. I agreed with many of the reviews but felt I should give the book another try so I kept on reading.

The book became more interesting as Stephen Covey started to talk about being reactive vs. proactive. I did think that perhaps some people were offended by the thought of working on yourself instead of blaming others for your problems. I figured that might explain some of the negativity as some books work like a mirror to reveal your faults. The other complaint I have to agree with is that Stephen Covey has a very complex writing style. He also keeps referring to the same examples over and over again - the golden eggs and the goose is used so many times I lost count but felt irritated each time it was spoken of again. Once would have been fine and for some reason it just set me on edge each time I read about it. He also uses the word "paradigm" obsessively.

In this book you will also learn a lot about his family's strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure I would have told some of the stories in this book because they seemed too personal. He calls his sons "honey" in the book and that would seem more appropriate if he was talking about his wife. I always feel for a writer's families as they are exposed in a light I find unattractive.

So what did I learn from this book? Here are the seven things I learned:

1. Be Proactive
2. Write a mission statement for my life
3. Prioritize
4. Seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions
5. Listen more and talk less
6. Value difference
7. Take care of body and soul - exercise, meditate, be an eternal learner, cultivate meaningful relationships

I liked the ideas of using visualization to create success. The ideas about writing a missions statement for your life and being opportunity-minded seemed like good ideas. The quotes in the book are quite good and since I collect quotes I was happy to have found some new ones that were very meaningful. For the most part I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be more successful especially in business. I think the ideas are good but for the most part felt that the book was overrated and at times rather irritating. I didn't feel good or "seasoned with love" while reading this book so I'm only giving it three stars.

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." ~ Albert Einstein

~The Rebecca Review

I keep this book in my special library. I bought it to get organized and learned how to both organize my days and prioritize my personal life. This book emphasizes being effective by deciding what is important and what is not. I would recommend it those that just can't seem to figure out how to fit life into 24 hour days, and puts spirituality at the forefront.

I own a signed Fireside First Edition (1989) of this book, and it is one of my prized possessions. The reader before me, someone I know must now be someone very important, had underlined the most important topics in this ever popular self-improvement text. As I read it, I can actually feel the impact these words had on so many other readers Worldwide. I see that the reader before me underlined "trust is the highest form of human motivation" and then I am amazed that years later, Covey publishes "The Speed of Trust." I take the words in text seriously, as I read that I "must get involved with training and development" and of course, the reader underlined this part as well.

I am convinced that all leaders have read and mastered the skills in this book, and I also know that my book was read by one of those leaders. Me! Andrea Samadi, author of The Secret for Teens Revealed: How Parents, Teachers, and Teenagers Can Inspire Leadership and Transform Lives

7 Habits of Highly Effective People is an excellent book with effective and powerful concepts to improve anyone's life. Personally I had an `Aha' moment with habit 5; seek first to understand, then to be understood. I can't tell you what a difference this has made in my life. I recommend it to anyone who seeks success professionally and personally. I found that when I applied these concepts habitually success followed quickly.

Excellent book and a great author. Everyone should read this book. The material can be applied to business or personal relationships.

My husband recommended this book to me, and I couldn't put it down. It was very easy to read. We each read it over a year ago, and yet we reference it ALL THE TIME!

Covey does a good job with illustrating his points. I think it would have been a boring book to me if anyone else had written it...but Covey made me not want to put it down! It was a page turner!!

You should definitely read this book!

Habits! Yes, consistent, belief-based, and optimized habits are the only way to be your best self. Thoughts are the parents of our experience and performance. This guy will guide you to it. You will also learn how to optimize these habits with Rosalene Glickman's book, Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self (endorsed by Covey). These books will bring that optimal consistency into every aspect of your life.

While I read through this wonderful book, I came to a striking realisation: There exist ways to deal with any situation in life effectively. Stephen Covey has put these into writing.
The challenge remains to live by these universal principles - which Covey did not create but so prudently recognises - but realising they exist is the first step.
How one person, through years of research even, put this vital gem so rich in content together escapes me. It's as if the book was written from the creator of these concepts themselves - a higher force.

A recipe for life success (I first heard it 8 years ago). Covey's style is compelling in audio - for me much better than reading the book.
Listen to it twice (at least) to let it sink in.

I know a lot of people who have done great things after reading this book. Obviously, not right after finishing, but I think it helps your frame of mind if you are driven, and success and accomplishment is important to you. It speaks to some fundamental truths about human nature that allow the book to stand the test of time.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

this is a great book. I have to read it for one of my classes, but
I am really glad I got assigned to read it.

It is a great resource of knowledge that could help one throughout
their whole life.

I strongly recommend it!

It was good in the past and it's still good. Check this out if you've never read it.

Despite having sold many millions of copies, Stephen Covey's groundbreaking book remains as fresh, helpful, and important as when it was first published. Such longevity is a testament to the quality of the insights that Covey offers: Eschewing easy fixes and simple-minded formulas, his writings offers a comprehensive and highly detailed program for invigorating your career as well as other aspects of life. You won't be able to breeze through this book (the writing is sometimes complex and involved), and you won't be able to apply Covey's ideas half-heartedly (the vision outlined requires serious effort to realize), but if you're willing to do the work, you'll reap the enormous benefits that many other readers have discovered and put into action.

Another GREAT book I came across this week that is helping me to develop effective habits, particularly as a manager and with my family is Squawk!: How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results

We had Covey training at my elementary school before school started. We were asked to read Stephen Covey's son's book 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens because it was an easy read before school started. Well, I HAD to read the original book by Stephen because it would give me so much more information! It has been very inspiring and I can't believe it has been around so long and still so relevent!

The insights shared in these pages contain the potential to impact your life relationships on both a personal and professional level. Never have I been handed better tools to implement in my own quest to become the person I desire to be. Applying the seven habits will transform you and impact those you love, along with every relationship that really counts. Whether you are looking for wisdom in how to relate to your next client, your boss, banker, teen, or spouse,or anyone else that really matters, you will find it here!

Another must read personal development book that has done wonders for me is Emotional Intelligence Quick Book

"Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People played a MAJOR ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SATURN'S OPERATING SYSTEMS AND PHILOSOPHY.
Our commitment to quality and to our customers has its roots in the 7 Habits."
- Skip LeFauve, president, Saturn Corporation/General Motors
[from the back cover of the audio CD case]

I bought this book over a year ago. Now I can judge the results of the book from experience. Overall, the book is great tool for any person to begin changing her life, but it does lack the how-to quite often. That part is left to the reader unexpressed.

As many of the negative reviews of this book indicate, there are some underlying Christian, more specifically Mormon, ideas presented in the 7 Habits. I myself am an agnostic yet after reading the 7 Habits I found nothing to dissuade me from testing the ideas put forth by Covey. None of the habits suggests the reader should convert, abandon his/her own thoughts or be eternally damned. If I dismissed his writing simply due to my assumptions of his belief or my disagreement of some of this thoughts, I would be no different than all the fundamentalists who do so in the name of God. So I tested the habits.

I was already a person who enjoyed a successful family and financial life as fruits of my own labor. That didn't stop the book from making a difference. Truly seeking to empathize while silencing my own thoughts and experiences led to a far greater bond with my family members. Putting first things first and beginning with the end in mind, ABSOLUTELY progressed my life. It has been over a year. Thanks to this book, I found the courage, discipline, and time to create a vision for myself. I left my 6 figure salary job that I knew deep down made no difference beyond the appropriate use of my paycheck to start my own company; one that created synergy and actively and selflessly gave back to the community. The company is doing great and my employees are onboard for life. I have never been so fulfilled inside yet I know my self-development is not yet complete. I believe I had the thirst and initiated the search myself. Eventually I would get there with or without the 7 habits, but it held my hand through the initial stages.

What the book lacks is further practices on such topics as nurturing one's independent will. The wording itself is rather proprietary, so beyond a thorough explanation Covey should have provided more ideas or exercises on the development of this "human endowment". This is a trend throughout the 7 Habits; one that I feel takes away from the effectiveness of it.

Dr Covey has written a book with some valuable points, which would be useful for any person to remember and apply. Although some say that they're common sense, sometimes we need reminding of common sense. Being proactive (i.e. doing something is better than doing nothing), starting with the end in sight (i.e. visualise what you really want and plan to get it), putting first-things-first (i.e. don't procrastinate), think Win-win (obviously valuable), and Seek-first-to-understand-then-to-be-understood are all useful and valuable habits. The idea of being principle-centred is also worth examining, as is the idea of concentrating on your circle of influence.

However, this book could have been much shorter; probably less than half the length. Dale Carnegie covered many of the ideas fifty years earlier, and wrote more clearly. Dr Covey's writing style would have George Orwell spinning in his grave. Like many authors in the 'self-help' genre, Dr Covey's writing is imprecise, long-winded, laden with exaggeration, and littered with clichés.

The 'Synergize' chapter should simply be excised; Dr Covey spends an entire chapter gushing about situations in which enthusiastic people got together, opened-up, became excited, and produced something wonderful. That isn't a habit; it's an effect. It's all very nice when it happens, but it ignores the situations where enthusiastic people get together, open-up, become excited, and produce something terrible or utterly disastrous because they were all too excited to examine risk. Late-90's dot-com companies in particular spring to mind. Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds was written about this phenomenon.

Dr Covey's advice relating to tyrannical bosses is awful. I would expect that anyone who adopts Dr Covey's advice in a situation where they are forced to deal with a sociopath is about to discover the meaning of 'disappointment'. Dr Covey makes the error of assuming that deep-down, all people are reasonable... if they were, his ideas would work. Unfortunately, they are not, and adopting Dr Covey's techniques with a sociopathic manipulator (they're more common than you think), or even worse, a sycophantic group of sociopaths, is a recipe for disaster. Sometimes, the best advice is 'get as far as you can from that person and situation, as fast as you can'; I doubt whether Dr Covey has ever given anyone that advice.

This leads me to another thread common to self-help writers; the unwillingness to admit that their approaches won't necessarily work for all people in all situations, and the accompanying focus on only the positive outcomes that can come from following their advice. Dr Covey's book is an example of this; no warnings, no caveats; the whole thing is presented as a path to salvation.

Finally, the anecdotes... they're tedious. One after the other, we hear unverifiable anecdotes, which could have just as easily have been invented. Or they could be completely one-sided; the other people in the situation may have had a completely different interpretation. I couldn't help when reading the book but wonder if Dr Covey's anecdotes were all that they seemed.

So there you have it; a middling book which promises much and delivers some. This book is worth a read if you go in with your eyes open, and think critically. But for the impressionable reader (it is often impressionable people who buy self-help books) some parts of the book may lead to disappointment.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This classic book provides steps to building a productive and organized life. Valuable for personal and business application. I review it in the last two lectures of my Principles of Management course to assist students in developing life and career plans.

Covey shares insight that should be considered by all. His "7 habits" apply to everyone, whether they wish to be more effective as leaders, parents, students, or just more effective as members of society. The habits he outlines perk the minds of and prompt the audience to self-examination. Immediately, I started to think of my own perceptions and attitudes in relation to my personal effectiveness as a Soldier, a leader, a parent, a husband, and as a friend. By adopting the habits, every aspect of my life could benefit.
The habits are not only presented and explained, but the author uses personal anecdotes to help us more readily relate to them. Covey outlines a plan for making the habits our own and explains how we will reap the benefits of using the habits as we journey through life. Covey creates a set of parameters in the habits that can provide guidance and control for anyone who wishes to be more effective at anything. It is not a quick fix, but a personal attitude and behavioral adaptation that can be developed in a positive way. I recommend "7 Habits" to everyone I know.

The reason why astrologers seem dead on is because they are so generic they would seem to fit anyone's situation. The same goes for this book. This books habits are so generic and so vague that they are practically useless. For instance, "sharpen the saw" is so vague and common sense that it is useless. You can sharpen your saw much better by buying a different book.

I really enjoyed reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R Covey. Covey starts with the premise everyone is born with these traits and one has to practice and cultivate them.

My favorite chapter is "WIN/WIN". Covey's premise is there are 6 paradigms of humans interaction and that WIN/WIN is not a technique it is a philosophy of human interaction. Relationships can be mutually beneficial, everybody wins! "It is not my way or your way but a better way, a higher way." This chapter reminds me of the "Golden Rule" (Do unto others what you would like them to do to you) which I was taught as a child.

Another book I really enjoyed was Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment by award winning authors Ariel & Shya Kane, This is a wonderful book of short stories that are all about accessing the moment and living a satisfying and fulfilling life.

If my Pastor take qoutes from it I know it's awsome haven't read yet but can't wait

It is about principles that make sense to most intelligent people. It refers to ideas that everybody already know but keep forgetting. It is just about logic principles, and it gives easy to understand examples to apply those principles to real life for good. It is worth buying. Other book that helps me about principles about relationships is:I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

We recieved this book as a gift..now we purchased it to gift someone close! The book covers many areas in daily circumstances that we often neglect to notice and correct afterward. Good pointers to think about and become more disciplined. And Excellent service from Amazon as usual!

Purchased the book on CD and the workbook.
It is an interesting book makes you think a lot about life.
More philosophical than instructional.

I first read this book more than 15 years ago, and it was still as fresh, exciting, and relevant today as it was back then. There is a simple reason why this book continues to be an international best-seller: its logical and common-sense message can be applied by all people, families, and organizations, and it has the power to transform individual characters and relationships at all levels.

Covey is a master story-teller and excellent writer who balanced humor, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality to clearly present his compelling habits (be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; sharpen the saw) in a non-intimidating way. What I find most convincing of the validity of these habits is the fact that you cannot make a compelling argument for their opposites.

I have personally experienced over the years that I can apply these seven habits to every kind of situation, and I can practice them to varying degrees depending on my individual preferences. I am also convinced that the more disciplined I am in practicing these habits the greater will be my personal, inter-personal, and organizational effectiveness.

Covey's extensive research and documentation has helped lead me over the years on a very rewarding introspective journey of self-improvement and self-discovery. He has also inspired my on-going study of leadership (personal, inter-personal, and organizational), philosophy, and character-refinement. I am constantly finding direct and indirect connections to the Seven Habits in most of the best works I read and study.

I give this book my strongest endorsement: it is one of the books I will encourage my young son to read when I feel the time is right.

Regardless of whether one finds this book profound, banal, or in-between, it serves as a reminder that no one can harm our self-concept without our permission. Covey cites Victor Frankl, who saw his relatives put to death and who suffered terribly in a Nazi concentration camp, yet came to a point where he realized that his self-concept was the one thing that the Nazis couldn't take away. This, of course, applies to lesser situations. For instance, your boss cannot sour your attitude towards your job, and a disagreeable ex-spouse cannot remain "married" to you, without your permission.

There is a helpful table (pp. 120-121) that helps the reader determine what he/she is centered on. The possibilities include money-centered, pleasure-centered, self-centered, enemy-centered, etc.

Covey also focuses on different styles of leadership (and gives several examples of the same in terms of parenting). In the gofer style of leadership, the leader gives a constant series of commands and effectively dogs the person being led, often breeding resentment in the person being led. In contrast, when the leader uses stewardship delegation, the leader gives a general framework for the accomplishment of a goal, and the person being led feels his/her dignity respected while working from within to achieve the goal. Covey comments: "Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people. But it takes time and patience, and it doesn't preclude the necessity to train and develop people so that their competency can rise to the level of that trust."

There are various means of dealing with problems. For instance, the traditional authoritarian approach is the win-lose one. Not surprisingly, Covey emphasizes the win-win approach to solving problems.

I agree with the other commenters who have given this book negative reviews and who appear to be more critical thinkers than the author himself.

This book was clearly written on auto-pilot; it is constructed on a string of cliches and half-conceived insights and analysis. It is entirely clear the author has little to say. The book is an insult to probing, intelligent minds. A total joke!

I actually purchased these cards in error, thinking that they were the book.

When I received it, I was disappointed.

When I read them, I was delighted!!!!

They encourage great focus and act as a boosters at the start of the day - pick up a card, read the back also or just read the front in the extremely pleasant font, and make yourself more effective and generally a better person.

A lot of these points made are quite obviously (although some are a lot more subtle and extremely cleverly presented) but fundamentally, it helps to make you a balanced and better person, which then obviously spills into your personal and business life.

They are the closest thing you will get to a quick fix - where a book requires you to be motivated to focus to read it, these are available at all times - pick one up from your desk before a meeting, browse through one or two while on hold for a phone call - you can only benefit if these ideals and tips sink into your subconscious!

We had the privilege of hearing Dr. Covey in person at The University of Michigan when this book was first published. It instantly became one of the most important books we've read and used in our teaching. We give this as a graduation gift to our college students to help them to be effective as they start their new life. Covey is the master of story-telling and bringing his habits to life.

Author, "Trust is Everything: Become the leader others will follow"

Nutshell review - This is an excellent book whose lessons and insights can contribute to all aspects of your life. Excellent.

The premise of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is that there are 7 habits which can dramatically improve a person's professional and social life. These habits include: 1. Be proactive. 2. Begin with the end in mind. 3. Put first things first. 4. Think win/win. 5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. 6. Synergize. 7. Sharpen the saw.

Covey's philosophy of using honest open communication, fairness, integrity and human dignity as a baseline in all relationships is sound powerful advice. The book is well written with excellent insights and wisdom.

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People is definitely one of the better self-help / improvement books on the market. All the information contained in the book is quite accurate and pertinent. With other self-help books I've read, some of the information has proved useful while a lot of it is rather superfluous, as if included simply to 'pad out' the book.

That is not the case with this classic book. A must read for all looking to improve themselves and their lives.

Real Life Dramas - Volume One

Darren G. Burton

- Very helpful in breaking down common misconceptions of how people succeed or don't succeed in life.
- This book can be applied to anyone's life, job, skillset, etc...
- Much of what is in this book can be considered common sense to me, but Dr. Covey does a great job in putting this common sense in understandable language.
- I'd recommend this book especially for anyone functioning in a business capacity, or politicians (especially politicians). Today's politicians are out of tune with the Character Ethic.

My book order arrived within a few days and in great condition. I'm very pleased with the service. Thanks.

I have had this book on my reading list for a while. This books has been a valuable catalyst in my personal development. On one hand there is very little that is shocking. As the author freely admits, he does not consider the principles that these habits embody to be his, but universal. While I think most people will find an innate understanding of each of these habits, Stephen Covey is blessed with an ability to clearly explain them in a way that will help you grow if you chose to follow them.

You do not have to be unhappy with your life, job or marriage to find benefit in this book. What the book helped me with was to make clear to where I needed to improve. Although Stephen Covey is a religious man, he had written the book in such a way that can be approached and understood by anyone from the atheist, to the agnostic and the religious man.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a direction or approach to give their life more mean and purpose.

When you want to be successful, you have to model yourself after successful people. One way to do this is to develop successful habits. This is a very simple concept, but not an easy one to implement. Those who follow through will achieve great results!

Sally Shields, bestselling author of, The Daughter-in-Law Rules, 101 Surefire Ways to Manage (and Make Friends with) Your Mother-in-Law!