The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Book Review

 

I finally finished reading this book, and no, my life has not changed overnight. But, here are my thoughts on the book. 

I went in, thinking that this will  be like many of the self-help books I love to read to motivate myself to become a better version  of myself. But this book is so much more. It forced me to reflect: what kind of a person do I want to be. What are the principles that I want to live by? How shall I live my life. In my funeral, how do I want to be remembered (from my family, friends, people from work, and society). We are so busy with our daily activities, that we often waste much of our time on things that are not necessarily important to us. Stephen R. Covey not only shows us how to organize our goals, based on the multiple roles we have as individuals, but also educates us in using a principle-centered approach to focus our time and energy on what is truly important to us, and what is in line with our end goal. This book is essentially about how to control your life, and not let life control you. 

I found this book to be especially helpful in working well with other people in my life: my husband, my son, my family and friends, and all the people I work with (my team, my vendors, my clients). It is only natural that everyone wants what's best for themselves, and Covey made me realize that in order to live and work effectively and in harmony with everyone, I need to be able to see through the other perspective like it were my own, and to empathize on the deepest level. I believe that if I'm able to follow what is being taught in this book, I will be able to reach greater heights in all aspects of my life (big goals lol).  

But like most of the books I have read, this book is easy to read but not as easy to implement. I am determined to try though. And finally yet importantly, I really liked that Stephen R. Covey gave a lot of examples with children in this book. Ever since, I became a mum, I constantly think of everything in relation to my child. I often wonder, as Ren grows older, will I be able to handle our differences, patiently? Will time change so rapidly that I will not be able to comprehend his generation? Hopefully, I will remember what I have read in this book and will be able to have a close, personal, meaningful relationship with my son as he grows more independent.