Running Head: THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

Andrea Gonzalez
University of St. Thomas
EDUC 6330
Dr. V. Leiker
December 11, 2015

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Coveys 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was published almost

30 years ago by Simon and Schuster. The 7 Habits encompass over 200 years of
literature on the principals and natural laws that govern success and overall
wellbeing within the human race. The ability to choose to internalize the 7 Habits is
what sets us apart from any other living organism. I believe, if taken seriously, this
methodically well-written book can provide you with the tools to enhance your life
and the lives of those around you.
To capture the audiences attention, Covey beings by discussing the issues
with get rich quick schemes. He states that A thousand-mile journey begins with
the first step. There are no quick-fixes to long term problems. If there were, they
would be the equivalent to putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. This spoke
volumes to me because in order to read, internalize, and live the 370 pages of the 7
Habits, one must feel the journey is worth the time and effort. Covey explains, in
detail, the importance of fully understanding each Habit and how they will help in
creating a personal road map to a successful future.
The Habits are easy to understand, logical, yet they may seem a bit scary
because they force one to explore and acknowledge aspects of life that may be
unfamiliar, or taboo. They open your eyes to self-awareness and the ability to
choose your life and its outcomes. The first three Habits work with developing selfmastery and becoming autonomous. Habits 4 through 6 help to develop people skills
to assist in communication and teamwork. These Habits help one transition from
independence to interdependence. The last Habit is one that tends to either be

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

forgotten or over indulged in. Sharpening the Saw is Habit 7 and it focuses on selfimprovement through continuous growth.
Covey uses all 7 Habits to concentrate on the individual as a whole. From
your waking thought to the sheep you count before nodding off to sleep. He
encourages you to change your perspective from negative to positive by the way you
live, speak, and think. His heartfelt stories and personal experiences help embolden
you to employ proactive routines, language, and goals to help strengthen a
constructive perspective of life.
My favorite Habit is #5 Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood.
Communication is the most important skill in life, Covey writes. We spend most
of our waking hours communicating. How true is this? I love talking to people and
being social. However, there have been numerous times where I have jumped to
conclusions about an issue and have been completely wrong. Covey explains
misconceptions about peoples intentions and realities. He provides several views of
the same situation to help you understand the concepts and provides strategies to
help ameliorate the situations. My favorite being a concerned father who does not
understand his child because his child will not listen to him. Covey states, Let me
restate what you just said. You dont understand your son because he wont listen to
you? The father had good intentions, however his logic was off. By pointing out
his misconception, the father was able to see that in order to understand someone,
you need to listen to them.
Although the chapters are long, and a bit wordy, they are thorough and
provide plenty of valuable examples and explanations of what each Habit means and

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

how it relates to the other Habits. Covey intertwines the Habits with stories and
humorous reality checks. While reading I felt myself smile several times, and felt
my eyes swell with tears at others. Without realizing it, I started to use the language
from his book and perceive daily situations in a more rational way by analyzing
them from different viewpoints.
Stephen R. Coveys 7 Habits encourages his readers to shift their paradigms.
By being proactive and using the Habits as a roadmap for success, anyone who is
willing can develop a stronger self-awareness. I would highly recommend this book
and author to anyone looking for practical skills to enrich their quality of life and
the lives of those around them.

References

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Covey, S. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal
change (25th anniversary ed.). Simon & Schuster.