Many books, articles, films, and other forms of motivation have been designed to help people act effectively, whether it concerns their education, work, or other activities associated with achieving specific goals. One of the most famous works in this field is the book by Stephen Covey called The 7 habits of highly effective people. This paper aims to explore that book and summarize each habit in the thesis form. These habits are highly effective because they are correlated with personal development and interpersonal skills.
The habits in the book are divided into three groups, and the first one is associated with independence, or “self-mastery.” The first habit in this group is about being proactive, and Covey (2013) states that proactivity is associated with the responsibility for people’s reactions to their experiences, responding positively, and then improving the situation. The second habit implies beginning with the end in mind, meaning that people should envision their desires and plan their lives towards them (Covey, 2013). Finally, the last habit in the group is putting “first things first,” implying that all activities should be divided by priorities according to their urgency and importance (Covey, 2013, p. 154). These three habits are associated with moving from the state of dependence to the state of independence.
The second group of habits described by the author is related to interdependence. The first habit in the group, which is the fourth habit overall, is “think win-win,” implying that relationships between people should involve solutions and agreements beneficial for both sides (Covey, 2013, p. 215).
Then, Covey (2013) claims that people should “seek first to understand, then to be understood,” which is the fifth habit of highly effective people, according to the author (p. 247). He states that empathetic listening helps understand a person, which can create a positive, problem-solving atmosphere (Covey, 2013). The sixth habit, the last one in this group, is about synergy, implying that people’s strength combined as a result of teamwork helps achieve goals that are unreachable alone (Covey, 2013). Overall, the three habits of interdependence imply that working with others is an essential element of being a “highly effective person.”
The last group consists of a single habit that is associated with continual improvement. The habit itself is “sharpen the saw,” which implies balancing and renewing one’s resources and energy to create a genuinely effective lifestyle (Covey, 2013, p. 299). Covey (2013) emphasizes the significance of physical exercises, spiritual activities such as meditation, and positive reading to renew mental resources within that particular habit. This habit is separated from the last two groups because it implies both personal and interpersonal influence. In many respects, that habit is the most significant since it may be challenging to adhere to six other habits when the person’s resources are depleted.
Overall, the habits described in Covey’s book appear to be genuinely effective as they contribute to personal development and the improvement of interpersonal skills. The first group of habits is about the transition from dependence to independence and is associated with personal change for achieving meaningful goals. The second group of habits is related to interdependence, implying that people can achieve excellent results while working together and establishing mutual understanding. Finally, the seventh habit is separated from the others and is about continuous improvement by constantly renewing personal resources. Following these seven habits is an excellent method to create a practical lifestyle.
Reference
Covey, S. R. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Simon & Schuster.