Energizing and powerful

This book has been around for so long, but got around to reading it only lately. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" has been so popular since so long and is clearly the most sold book in it's category. What I liked most about Steven Covey's book is it's inside-out approach - build and recognize your values first before anything else. As the author discusses in the initial section, many recent books concentrate on techniques to achieve what you want rather than emphasizing a character based approach. It is discussed in the context of the character ethic and personality ethic. The character ethic is what flows from the inside - our core values and what we really want to be. The personality ethic is what the world sees us as. Literature lately concentrates on the personality ethic and how you can be successful by using the techniques they advocate. But if it is in conflict or not naturally accepted by the character ethic, it is unlikely to deliver true success or peace. This is certainly true and I would say most recent books on how to win friends, how to be successful etc do fall into this category
The seven habits discussed are - 1) Be Proactive, 2) is to Begin with the End in Mind, 3) Put First Things First 4) Think Win/Win 5) Seek to First Understand, Then to be Understood, 6) Synergize,
7) Sharpen the Saw

Each habit is clear that it needs to flow from our principles. I found the most powerful message in the section where the author asks us to close our eyes and think of what we would like people to talk about at our funeral. What really would we want friends, family and people at work to say about us ? He advises that such as the constitution of nations, we need to form our own mission statement which would guide us through our life. Each of the habits is discussed in great depth with very good examples. The last habit is on how you can better and constantly improve. This book has the potential to change mindsets and allow a fresh approach to life. I found it most energizing and powerful