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andromeus's review against another edition
The lessons were extremely common sense, to the point the book wasn't giving me any new insights.
kruthika_prakash's review against another edition
5.0
I read around half of this brilliant book by Stephen Covey in school and completed the other half, recently. This book teaches us some essential skills to function without anxiety and to develop empathy. Apparently, some of the examples discussed in the book about paradigms are discussed in the Harvard Business School lectures. They are fantastic examples, no doubt. The anecdotes about perception formation will literally transcend us to a plane of rationale thinking. The discussion on circles of influence and concern are well known; but, difficult to implement. He describes how effective people focus on their circle of influence—actions that are within their control. Further, he presents the concept of circle of concern: those that are not within our control like disasters, tragedies and so on. I agree with the author; however, it is important for us to push the boundaries of our circle of influence—at times—for the purpose of justice and to act constructively. This view of mine is influenced by the interviews of former US President, Barrack Obama and animal welfare activist Amala Akkineni. Talking about Covey's book, I would recommend this among one of the must-reads.
https://booksfoodmylife.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-people.html
https://booksfoodmylife.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-people.html
jessdone's review against another edition
2.0
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People doesn’t include reading this book. I managed a quarter of this book before putting it down. It’s a meandering mess. The book opens with an appeal to emotion where author and wife try to compel agreement by discussing how their response to their child’s sports efforts was sabotaging his efforts.
The story makes me feel icky, so it was unfortunate the writer spends so much time fleshing this example out and relating a child’s ego to an adult’s ego, using his child’s struggle and equating it to the reader’s struggles.
Besides this manipulative opening, it takes too long to get to the 7 habits and the habits are so weak the writer takes a long time convincing the reader they are needed before discussing what these habits are and how they would look in our lives.
Up to where I read there was no science and there are few helpful case study examples. Since the writer is a marketer, I would accept if each chapter was a case study on a company/group he helped rehabilitate through the habit he suggests. Seven different cases each with a different lack solved by one of these habits. Maybe the cases even show how the habits are interconnected: like company X used Chapter 2 skills correctly, but they were lacking X which is the next step to maximizing productivity.
This book unfortunately perpetuated a stereotype where marketers offer long winded pretty, but meaningless words to an audience and try to bury this trait but dragging a story out so long the audience doesn’t remember what the point should be. Kind of like the million line sentence I just wrote.
It’s ironic that I’m discussing different ways his book could more efficiently shared its message.
The story makes me feel icky, so it was unfortunate the writer spends so much time fleshing this example out and relating a child’s ego to an adult’s ego, using his child’s struggle and equating it to the reader’s struggles.
Besides this manipulative opening, it takes too long to get to the 7 habits and the habits are so weak the writer takes a long time convincing the reader they are needed before discussing what these habits are and how they would look in our lives.
Up to where I read there was no science and there are few helpful case study examples. Since the writer is a marketer, I would accept if each chapter was a case study on a company/group he helped rehabilitate through the habit he suggests. Seven different cases each with a different lack solved by one of these habits. Maybe the cases even show how the habits are interconnected: like company X used Chapter 2 skills correctly, but they were lacking X which is the next step to maximizing productivity.
This book unfortunately perpetuated a stereotype where marketers offer long winded pretty, but meaningless words to an audience and try to bury this trait but dragging a story out so long the audience doesn’t remember what the point should be. Kind of like the million line sentence I just wrote.
It’s ironic that I’m discussing different ways his book could more efficiently shared its message.
ange25's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
I really enjoy self help books and have read many of the older ones but I think this particular writing style has not aged well.
There are a few interesting nuggets in there but almost 600 pages worth. I found the writing style incredibly dull and the info graphics unhelpful
There are a few interesting nuggets in there but almost 600 pages worth. I found the writing style incredibly dull and the info graphics unhelpful
baybunni's review against another edition
3.0
Overall a well writen book that is a quick read. My only reason for rating it low is because these are not revolutionary things for people to learn. These are things I have already known myself and have utilized. Most people already know these habits and employ them as they were most likely taught some of the basics of how to be effective and do things as a kid. But with that said I did fully still enjoy the book because while I already do these things the author did an amazing job at putting it into words I wouldn't have used to explain to a person what it is they need to do or are doing. There are a lot of good quotes for explaining it that I will use.
jwashing1998's review against another edition
1.0
I am actively choosing to not finish this book. I have to free myself. It is old, outdated, business-speak and common sense. I would rather literally do anything else than finish this book that was recommended to me by a few too many people.
masterminds4b's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
I like the content personally because we shared the same habits. I like it best when the author mentions what true Liberal Education is, to engage a conversation with the great minds of the present and the past, to read the Great Books and the Harvard Classics. It reminded me to read fiction books as well to exercise my imagination and to practice empathy by learning from other’s experiences through literature.