With over 25 million copies sold, translated into 40 languages, and a best-seller of all time, the book truly deserves a spot in everyone’s library.
“No one can persuade another to change. Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be
opened from the inside. We cannot open the gate of another, either by argument or emotional
appeal.” (Marilyn Ferguson)
The book “The 7 Habits” frequently appears in my book recommendations on shopping sites. However, various reasons led me to skip it, mainly because I am not very disciplined. I used to think that self-improvement books are quite boring. For example, telling a night owl to wake up early to feel the positivity of a new day doesn’t help much. I was curious about why so many people said that the book changed their lives. What finally made me decide to read “The 7 Habits” was a reference in another book, “Master Your Game, Change Your Life,” by Weldon Long. He expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Stephen R. Covey, saying that “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” changed his destiny forever.
Weldon Long, while serving a six-year prison sentence, received the news of his father’s death. Facing the mirror in his cell, he saw a high school dropout, unemployed, with three failed attempts at life, living in despair. He only knew imprisonment, poverty, and struggles. He had no money, hope, or future. After his release, he earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA. Despite numerous obstacles, he built a wealthy and honorable life.
Throughout the book, Weldon Long referred to “The 7 Habits” as a guide for his transformation.
Why do we rarely achieve our desires? We want countless things, such as wealth, social status, yachts, private planes, etc. Many of us have accepted that we have little chance of achieving great success. Even with smaller goals, failure is common. Have you ever failed in weight loss attempts? Even if you genuinely feel that your current weight diminishes your attractiveness, strict weight loss plans often fail. My daughter’s academic performance is poor, despite numerous study plans and tutoring. Nothing worked, and she seemed to become lazier.
My job is boring, and I thought about taking additional courses to improve my resume. However, the initial excitement faded, and I abandoned the information about the courses. I remained stuck in a monotonous job.
I found answers to my daily questions in “The 7 Habits.” It transformed my life, helping me take responsibility and overcome personal struggles. Dr. Covey emphasized that he was not the author of the habits, but a seeker of truth and understanding. The principles he promoted are inherent in human nature, advocating for living true to one’s conscience.
The 7 habits are:
- Be proactive and take control of your life, unaffected by external circumstances.
- Clearly define what you want to achieve and start with a clear goal.
- Prioritize important tasks by managing time and work effectively.
- Develop a win-win mindset for mutually beneficial relationships.
- Improve communication skills by listening and understanding others.
- Master collaboration for better results through collective effort. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
- Continually develop yourself physically, intellectually, and emotionally.
Dr. Covey’s explanations and real-life scenarios in the book resonate with anyone. From family arguments to business conflicts, following the right principles makes everything easier and leads to positive outcomes. Persistently practicing the 7 habits helps you become proactive and understand the power of interdependence, leading to win-win solutions and better understanding in any situation.
“We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T.S. Eliot
