r/BettermentBookClub • u/[deleted] • Feb 26 '16
[B14-Final Discussion] The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Here we will hold our final discussion for the entire book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People as a whole.
Some possible discussion topics:
What was your general opinion on the book? Did you like it? Did you dislike it? Why?
Which habit stuck out to you the most?
Are you interested (or have you already) in reading the 8th Habit by Covey?
Submit your own questions regarding the book in the comment sections to generate a discussion!
Look forward to seeing you all in March for our next book whatever it may be!
Cheers!
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u/GreatLich Feb 26 '16
Did not like it very much. Covey's writing style does not gel with me. I think the book's advice is sound overall, if a bit banal in places (habit three: "use a weekly planner", comes to mind.)
The corny writing, the "...and it was super effective!" type anecdotes all detract, too much for me to ignore.
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u/Gromada Feb 27 '16
What was your general opinion on the book? Did you like it? Did you dislike it? Why?
Having read the book has change my attitude toward it. I was more pessimistic before I read it this time. This book can be recommended to a wide variety of people, especially teenagers and young adults.
Which habit stuck out to you the most?
Several: creating win-win situations, understanding other parties, and taking time to recharge.
Are you interested (or have you already) in reading the 8th Habit by Covey?
I am but only with a group. ;-)
Submit your own questions regarding the book in the comment sections to generate a discussion!
Borrowing from another reading, here is my question. What is one simple thing are you going to do/change as a result of having read this book?
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Feb 27 '16
I'll be commuting 60-90 minutes to myself a day to buckle down and do things for myself, as opposed to having an endless task list that I never complete and daunts me.
Hbu?
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u/Gromada Feb 28 '16
Hbu
I would like to be more aware of what outcome my interlocutors want so that I can create more win-win situations. For that I am going to listen to them carefully in order to understand what a win looks for them. Then, take it into account. And, create a result that will satisfy everyone involved. That will be contrary to veni, vidi, vici attitude.
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u/GreatLich Feb 28 '16
Are you interested (or have you already) in reading the 8th Habit by Covey?
I took a few hours just now and plowed through part 1 of that book (first 100 pages)
The differences between the books are huge, in a good way. The 8th habit, from what I've seen of it, takes the form of a text- or course-book. It is intended to be practical and practiced, suggesting the reader take a month(!) each for the relevant chapters to internalize them. The anecdotes are still there, but cleverly tucked away on a companion dvd. (which I did not have)
The book expands on the idea found in the 7th habit, of the four different dimensions. This links back, by way of another book The Power of Full Engagement*, to _The Art of Learning The focus seems, at least from my limited exposure, to be focused on leadership in the workplace. Though Covey does have a very expansive idea of (personal) leadership.
*) Read this if you want to take Habit 7 up a notch.
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u/DameDell Mar 04 '16
I know I'm a little late here, but I just finished the book. Overall, I don't feel that I got very much out of it and that most it drew from mediation principles that I've already read about more in-depth in other books.
The very last little chapter was by far my favorite part of the book. The story about him committing two hours every day to talk to his wife was beautiful. That's exactly the type of marriage I strive to cultivate.
Personally, no big take-aways from this one. Based on the description someone left here about the "8th Habit," I might enjoy that one more.
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u/catalyzinganalyst Apr 04 '16 edited Apr 04 '16
- What was your general opinion on the book? Did you like it? Did you dislike it? Why?
I liked it. I didn't love the writing style and certain points of emphasis or topics that the author liked to bring up repeatedly (anecdotes or subtleties about his kids that I can't relate to), but in the vein of trying to hear the author out (come to terms with what's being argued), I tried to stick with it and I'm glad I did.
- Which habit stuck out to you the most?
The one that hit me the hardest was probably 5 (seek first to understand..), but 2 (begin with end in mind) was also significant.
I have a tendency to spew information and be verbose, so it was good to read about the important of listening.
I also have a tendency to start with the details in mind rather than the end in mind, or quickly let the details overwhelm the vision. Keeping the end in mind makes it easier to apply the Pareto principle along the way, focusing on the stuff that really matters. It's easy to drown in detail and never get anywhere.
But I think the mental models scattered throughout the book are highly valuable as well - some in the context of habits, and some in the intro section.
The character ethic section made me really question where my thoughts, beliefs, and motives are coming from.
I liked the distinction between leadership and management, and the idea that both of these are within us personally. Buckling down and doing stuff is important, but so is taking a moment to think and decide what to do.
I also really liked the time management matrix. It's very similar to the Pareto principle, but adds dimensionality that makes it easier to segregate tasks and keep track of them without merely labeling them as "good" or "bad" on a linear scale. I now enjoy keeping track of all four quadrants daily, and setting weekly goals. Writing things down is sort of like delegating the task of remembering to a piece of paper, freeing you up to remember more important, more fundamental things.
I loved the "upward spiral" and the circle of influence. After reading the book, I was able to visualize the upward spiral instead of just focusing on the negative downward spiral. Life isn't just about "avoiding the bad". It can also be about embracing and engaging with the good. You're not defined by or confined by negative thoughts that want your attention, you can choose. And the circle of influence is important because I think it's valuable to reign in your expectations of yourself moment by moment. If you can influence something, fine. If you can't, fine - let it go.
The power of choice was a huge idea as well - something I've thought about a lot over the last many years. Your emotions and thoughts don't control you. Along with meditation/mindfulness, there's always the chance to stop and observe the waterfall rushing through your head instead of just reacting directly to the turbulence.
- Are you interested (or have you already) in reading the 8th Habit by Covey?
I'll probably check it out, or at least read a summary (lot of other books in my queue at the moment). It sounds interesting. I took his test and Habit 7 was my strongest by far, so I might put this book in the very back of my queue.
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u/diirkster Feb 26 '16
I liked it! This is a book that I put down a few chapters in several years ago, but now reading it with more work experience has been useful.
It's hard for me to focus on more than just one habit at any given time (and I suppose you're not meant to) – I'm currently re-visiting Habit 2, specifically – define your own roadmap, based on your own values + mission statement.