Review Of Living The 7 Habits The Courage To Change

Stephen R. Covey “Living The 7 Habits: The Courage To Change” shows how people who had succeeded used these 7 Habits principle to solve problems, overcome obstacles, and change their lives.

What are the 7 Habits and How can we apply the principles to thrive in a changing world, and to have a meaningful life.


Habit 1 – Be Proactive
• More than taking initiative.
• Accepting responsibility for our own behaviour (past, present, and future).
• Making choices based on principles and values rather than moods or circumstances.
• Choose not to be victims, to be reactive, or to blame others.
• Using four unique human gifts – self-awareness, conscience, imagination, and independent will.

Habit 2 – Begin with the End in Mind
• All things are created twice- first mentally, second physically.
• We shape our own future by creating a mental vision and purpose for any project.
• Mentally identify and commit yourself to the principles, values, relationships, and purposes that matter most.
• Mission statement is the highest form of mental creation.

Habit 3 – Put First Things First
• Is the second or physical creation.
• Organising and executing around the mental creation (your purpose, vision, values, and most important priorities.)
• Focus on what matters most, urgent or not.
• The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Habit 4 – Think Win-Win
• A frame of mind and heart that seeks mutual benefit, based on mutual respect in all interactions.
• Not thinking selfishly (win-lose), Not like a martyr (lose-win).
• In work and family, think in terms of “we” not “me”.
• Encourages conflict resolution, helps individual seek mutually beneficial solutions.

Habit 5 – Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood
• Listen with the intent to understand others, rather than with the intent to reply.
• When others feel understood first, they feel affirmed and valued, defenses are lowered, and opportunities to speak openly and to be understood come much more naturally and easily.
• Seeking to understand takes kindness.
• Seeking to be understood takes courage.
• Effectiveness lies in balancing the two.

Habit 6 – Synergize
• A way of working in teams.
• Apply effective problem solving, collaborative decision making.
• Value differences and build on divergent strengths.
• Leverage creative collaboration.
• The result of teamwork will exceed the sum of what each of the members could have achieved on their own.
• “The whole is greater than the sum if its parts.”


Habit 7 – Sharpen The Saw
• Constantly renewing ourselves in the four basic areas of life: physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual.
• It’s the habit that increases our capacity to live other habits of effectiveness.

Stephen Covey “Living The 7 Habits: The Courage To Change” is a recommended book to read. In this book, it shows how real people have applied the principles to thrive in a changing world. Stephen Covey greatly presents practical guidance and powerful inspiration to readers who are searching for a proven framework for a living a meaningful life. “To live change, to optimize change, you need principles that don’t change.” – Stephen R. Covey

The Courage To Change

Were you ever being offer a rare opportunity whereby you were unsure and had lots of uncertainties? And moreover, it was a tempting opportunities? Why majority of people reject to unusual ideas of thoughts?

Comfort zone? Mindset??

People react to the norm which is what others are doing for now, they would prefer to stay in their position because there are no uncertainties, where life will just pass by like any other people. And they are just comfortable in where they are? People are not receptive towards change, especially when a fresh new idea is being presented in front of them. It may sound wonderful to them, but they do not have the COURAGE TO CHANGE.

My daughter, Rae, 4yrs 7mths, picked up the word “The Courage To Change” and put it in her drawing. She may not understand those words, but in time, she will get it.


To Rae, it was a very simple representative drawing of herself in two positions.

But to me, I could perceive the great meaning with the wordings “The Courage To Change” incorporated. I could see that the girl who was standing under the tree, who was so used to her comfort zone, took courage to make her move out of the tree. The perspective is that, if that girl is to stay protected under the tree, there is a limitation to her view, however, when she moved her position, she could see the world in a wider angle. Yes, that’s the paradigm shift.

Well, this is how I analyse the drawing; I believe you may have a different view from mine. But it is always GREAT when you step out that comfort zone to have a wider angle of view – The Courage To Change.