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