With his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey initiated a shift in the focus of self-help books written in the 20th Century.
In the book, Stephen Covey lists seven habits that each person should develop in order to be effective. These are sequential steps that need to be carefully followed for overall personal development. His philosophy states that our characters are shaped by our habits which include three major things:
Skills-They give us the ability to put our knowledge to practical use
Knowledge-It provides the necessary information and forethought
Desire-A key motivating factor, it serves as the catalyst for all human actions
In a time when more emphasis was laid on character and problem solving rather than on personality development and related techniques, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People brought in a fresh perspective towards the path to success. Coveys book integrates both character and personality ethics together, for a person to be successful.
In his book, Covey stresses on the fact that a society where individuals are wholly independent and individualistic would not be effective in the long run. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People focuses on teamwork rather than individual development.
Out of the seven habits outlined, the first three encourage independence so that you can understand yourself. The next three habits focus on working in a cooperative environment. The seventh and final habit focuses on renewal, that is, constantly trying to improve all aspects of your character and personality.
One of the most popular books on personal development, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has sold over 15 million copies in many languages worldwide.