Top 25 growth books - XV

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey

A few quotes from the book:

“But until a person can say deeply and honestly, "I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday," that person cannot say, "I choose otherwise.”

“When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.”

“It's not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurts us.”

“My wife and I just don't have the same feelings for each other we used to have. I guess I just don't love her anymore and she doesn't love me. What can i do?
"feeling isn't there anymore?" I asked.
"That's right," he reaffirmed. "And we have three children we're really    concerned about. What do you suggest?"
"love her," I replied.
"I told you, the feeling just isn't there anymore."
"Love her."
"You don't understand. the feeling of love just isn't there."
"Then love her. If the feeling isn't there, that's a good reason to love her."
"But how do you love when you don't love?" 
"My friend , love is a verb. Love - the feeling - is a fruit of love, the verb. So  love her. Serve her. Sacrifice. Listen to her. Empathize. Appreciate. Affirm her.  Are you willing to do that?”

“It is one thing to make a mistake, and quite another thing not to admit it. People will forgive mistakes, because mistakes are usually of the mind, mistakes of judgment. But people will not easily forgive the mistakes of the heart, the ill intention, the bad motives, the prideful justifying cover-up of the first mistake.”

Stephen Richards Covey (1932 – 2012) was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker. He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death. (Wikipedia)

The book is about developing the core values in every facet of living. The author presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, the key issues are dealt clearly. A look at the list of the  seven habits the author presents are good indicators of the content of the book.

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

The content may appear to be theoretical but in the heart of our heart every issue, raised in the book, rings true.

A riveting read.

Namaste

Prabir