Before buying this book I've read a number of "outstanding" and a few negative reviews. After reading the book I wouldn't agree with negative reviews but won't call this book outstanding. I would call it "a book with a number good strategies/advises to follow".
It took me 2 months to read it and thinking about of what I've read. I would say that as the author had stated he had observed these 7 rules over his life, I can say that I have observed and followed myself 1st and 3rd rule and those rules are true and correct. I also have observed that over the years focusing on "first things first", doing this rule become easier and more effective over the years. I don't know if same applies to others, but my case is as it. I've read about 20 years ago a similar rule #2 and comparing it to this book I keep following the rule as: if you don't know which decision/choice to make, imagine you're dead tomorrow so your choice will not affect your self-ego.
The habit #4 although I see benefit of win/win scenarios and a good observation from the authtor is to add a "or no-deal" clause, but in the actual life the win/win not always applicable. Plus, the author has staten that he has never was working in any businesses, he had been a teacher. So, to keep telling others of what to do is different of actully doing it. To that point, in the end of the book in his interview after 25years of first publication on a question of how these habits/principles are working for him his response was he was struggling with any and all. And on the question how those principles applies to his business his answer was that he didn't manage to apply them to his business successfully. I think no further comments are needed.
Another matter in the "after 25-years" interview the author on a question of why there are 7 habits he answered because of it is in nature and so forth. But, afterwards he came up with the 8-th habit and wrote another book on it. On the habits diagram circle he had stoke it aside to the other side like a pimple :-) So is it the 7 magic habits or is the author after having a success and recognition with the first book had decided to just keep writing?
Author says in the book he was having their family mission statement written and hung on a wall and having a regular family meetings on the mission statements. As nothing "could" be wrong of having family meetings on the mission statements but having their mission statement hung on the wall isn't it a red flag?
The book starts off from 30 pages of praises of different businessmen, executives and etc. which I don't know if all 30 pages of those praises are needed? Also a foreword from his children and followed the book of his interviews, auto-biography and etc. which are another 50 pages. I've never read another book good or bad, excellent or so-so which contains another 80 pages of junk. 3-5 pages usually, but not 80.
In the beginning of the book on the habbit #1 he made a sample of a light-house and a cruiser and the argument b/w the light-house sailor and the captain of the US cruiser. Following the story the light-house was stationary and the cruiser had the same angle toward the lighthouse with a danger of a collision. So the matter is the angle to a stationary object will be the same only if the ship going directly to that object. So...., if you was not in Navy or served on a ship you won't catch that. But, one of the book praisers' was a US admiral praising the book laudly... Was he ever on a ship?
Another sample is when the author tried to apply the habit #4 (win/win) to one of his sons who was 7 at a time making him to be in charge of mowing grass. The son agreed to everything then nothing happen. He didn't do anything and when cornered said that he needed help. The definition of help is like when he tried, it didn't work, and he needed help. The key in that story is the kid even had never tried. So it was more to the dad tried to hang a duty to a son and a son in return agreed to everything to get his dad off his back and then found and excuse of not doing anything, lol.
A sad part was the author was saying 2 of US presidents had asked him to consult them on the matter of these habits/principles. By the timing of the interview you can determine the names of those presidents. It's sad you listen to all of the impressive speeches of the election campaigns, the debates, and etc. And then, those 2 people didn't know of what to do. So they turned to charlatans...
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I am constantly recommending this book
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2021
This book will help anyone at any stage of their life. I was always taught to self reflect but, most of the time you only see your prospective. The author helps navigate your thought process and in turn helps your realize other peoples perspectives.
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2021
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Opinión del libro 'The 7 habits of Highly Effective People'
Reviewed in Mexico on March 25, 2017Arturo Rodriguez Medina
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Reviewed in Mexico on September 30, 2020
