Book Review: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

" I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions." — Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of the most enduring books ever published, focusing on living a life of purpose and integrity. It was published in the year 1989, and the information in the book still cuts across centuries to come. Our quote for this write-up will be focused on: I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. This simply talks about you not playing the victim. Stop it and take responsibility for your actions.

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This section of the book, which carries this quote, shares the author's thoughts about the natural human tendency to blame the external environment when in a tight spot. You have a shitty boss, your environment is not working for you, and things are not going as you planned because you did not get the support you needed. Passing the blame to these things can be valid. Yeah, sometimes the problem we might be going through is not caused by our own doing. Nevertheless, you need to know when to cut the crap and take action.

Do not sit back and let things happen to you. Letting life toss you left, right, up, and down, however it deems fit. You need to know the point when you tell yourself enough is enough, and you step up to take action for yourself. Become the lead actor in your life story. Things will rarely go as you had hoped, but how you respond to them when things fall apart is what matters. Stephen Covey, the author of the book, says that highly effective people focus their attention on things that are within their control and not what is outside it. Like the words of the Billionaire TV persona, Mike Prince from Billions,

There are people that things happen to and people who make things happen. And you need to land on which one you want to be. And when you do that, when you decide what you want to feel, that is the true source of power. And when you get there, people will see what you want them to see on your face. Most people never figure this out. The ones that do, they get to run the world.

The author goes on to explain that one should be more focused on things that are within control, not on things that are beyond. There will always be things that you cannot control. Is it the weather, the stability of your country's currency, or the economy of your country? These kinds of things are something you as an individual cannot control all by yourself, but things like your attitude, your response to a problem, how you talk to people, and what you do for a living are what your actions can do something about.

Life can be challenging and overwhelming at times, which is why I enjoy exposing my mind to information like this as a reminder that I am not alone in going through whatever I am going through. People are fighting battles we know nothing about, which is why it pays to be nice to another person or at least show some form of kindness. Your kindness is an action that is within your control. How you show it to others is all up to you. Focus on what is within your control.

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_{I am @samostically, a chess player and writer. I love to share the experience I have gained from different battles over the 64 squares and the knowledgeable insights from books I have read. But most importantly, I am a Midnight Owl and I founded the community Midnight Letters.}

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Thanks For Reading!

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