Rating: 
Summary: Very Effective Book!
Review: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' does a good job of tying together the seemingly diverse areas of human relationships, awareness, spirituality and business issues. While the focus is mostly business and work-related, Covey touches on how to be more effective in every area of life from marriage to contract negotiations. He brings a fresh perspective to improving our relationships with ourselves and everyone else in our lives. One thing I especially liked was how he carefully explains that there are not necessarily specific steps or methods to building the Habits, but rather conveys the necessity of a change in underlying attitudes that is required for significant progress in our lives. In this respect, the book reminds me of "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane (another excellent book on being more effective, as well as becoming more satisfied in all areas of one's life). Both books do not try to fill you with new 'techniques', they instead describe new ways of looking at ourselves - which ultimately produces the lasting results we are seeking. The contrast between popular 'self-help' jargon and the lessons described in this book are clear and enlightening. The book feels like it was written by a spiritual disciple with an MBA, and rather than forsaking one approach for the other, there is a synergistic (Synergizing is habit 6) blend of perspectives. I recommend this book highly to those who haven't had much exposure to teachings on awareness, as many of the examples are relevant to the real world and quite practical. For those who have read a lot on self-improvement, 7 HABITS can add a new, more business-like dimension, and reading "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" will allow you to achieve a greater understanding of what fulfillment really feels like.
Rating:
Summary: Worth re-reading
Review: I just re-read Seven Habits. I may have learned more this time than the first time through. It's profound and affecting, though Covey's preachy tone sometimes gets in the way of his message and at times he can belabor the obvious. Still, it's a must read. I also recommend his First Things First, as well as First Break All the Rules, and above all Barry Maher's Filling the Glass, which is at least as powerful and profound, never patronizes and replaces Covey's moralizing with humor.
Rating: 
Summary: A solid model
Review: If you haven't read this book, you should. It has some good ideas and presents a solid model. My only concern is the focus on time management and the personal planner. If we are to become a society entirely obsessed with time management and personal effectiveness, perhaps we are missing the joy of rambling without purpose. But, if you need greater time management and effectiveness, there are some excellent and helpful concepts in this book. I have found the circle of concern/influence to be a timeless lesson.
Rating:
Summary: A book which sometimes gets a bad rap
Review: There's a reason this book has sold 13 million copies. Read it. But don't read it without reading, "Filling the Glass: The Skeptic's Guide to Positive Thinking in Business" as well. I'll let you decide for yourself which you'll find more meaningful but "Filling the Glass" could well be to 2001 what "Seven Habits" was to 1990.
Rating:
Summary: A book that will change your life
Review: I have read this book fivetimes.Everytime I read it I find something totally new.In fact this book has changed the way I read good books.Covey has quoted TS Eliot's following twice in this book"We must not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time".I would recommend to read and reread and reread this book till you have got it inside out. In a way it is a historic book in the sense that it seeks to correct the mistakes intoduced in the personal change literature by the likes of Dale Carnegie who unwittingly sought to replace the ageold character ethic by personality ethic.The four dimensions of physical,mental,social and spiritual growth need to be worked on.These have to be accompanied by a vision and a sense of priortization in daily life.There is a depth in what Covey says.The book takes relationships to their deep spiritual levels and there lies its own effectiveness.Rather than reading a number of self improvement books I would once again recommend to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent guide towards personal success
Review: I am reading this book and have found that whatever the book says if you try to implement, really makes you an effective person. Since I have started reading the book, I have gifted it to 2 of my close ppl. This book is the most memorable gift my friend has given to me and anyone can give someone
Rating: 
Summary: Too painful
Review: With such great content, it's hard to believe it could be such a chore to read. I devour personal growth books, and I had a heard time getting through this one. I've heard that there are people at the Covey Center for Leadership who didn't finish reading it.Otherwise it is outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the most important book I've read in my life 2 date
Review: And mind you, I've only read half of it - just finished all the chapters in the Private Victory part, but I can't wait to write a comment on it, and I have already given it to a friend as a gift and recommend to many others. I bought it when I was in a period of losing self confidence and facing the worst obstacles in my life. I was under constant self evaluation and realized how inefficient I could be at times. I wanna change that, but contrary to what I thought this book would be - a practical "follow the instructions daily and you will be more effective" kind of book, it actually changes one's paradigm, a notion that the author emphasizes a lot right in the first chapter. I changed my value towards life and how to treat myself and people on a daily basis - basically it teaches you how to become more positive rather than just more efficient, because and author believes the latter is a direct result of the earlier, and so do I now...
Rating:
Summary: This book is only for people with vision who want to lead
Review: If everyone followed the concepts in this book, society would solve all of its own problems. Every problem. Every society. However, following the concepts demands strength of character that few people can muster. This book is for people who believe in their futures and want to accomplish a great life. For people who understand that it will not happen on its own by simply thinking happy thoughts. These concepts are familiar to us all because they are so fundamental, but seldom have they been so well articulated. There is no majic bullet for solving all of the problems or issues in your life or in our society. Only hard work can do that. This book describes how the work can be organized and carried out. Take responsibility and make our world better. I am.
Rating: 
Summary: Coveyisms Shoveyisms
Review: I can see where this book would appeal to people who like very orderly lives and who like to map everything out. I for one think that living my life by following a mission statement and 7 habits sounds like a drag. I don't think our reason for living is to be "effective." I'm not sure what it is for and I like it that way. It is good to not always react to things and take control of your life (Habit 1-Be proactive.) Keeping your priorities straight is smart advice also as is trying to be a better listener and understanding what others are really trying to say. There is nothing wrong with self-improvement, so I can see where this book could be handy. Yet, I must wonder, has Covey said anything in this book that hasn't been said before or that isn't blatantly obvious? Good for him that the was able to make millions upon millions requrgitating these "habits," but I for one am glad I got my book at the library and didn't contribute to his wealth.
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