Covey and personal effectiveness

I have always been interested in literature around personal effectiveness. Not just effectiveness at work. Effectiveness in everything- at work, play, leisure and generally, in life itself. Most of the literature that I came across appeared shallow to me- it was either very superficial and anything I tried out would work for some time and then, wither away.

So when I read a chapter from Covey as a part of my MBA course in 1998, I took some of his 'preachings' with a pinch of salt. Then, on a plane ride to Singapore, I read the book cover to cover. That was 2000. I have read the book several times since, and have completely enthralled by the power of his ideas. They are simple without being simplistic and that is what attracts me to them. At the same time, they have made me think more deeply about what I really want to be with my time, where I want to spend it, where I want to invest it and what I should actually refrain from doing. From simple time management tools to an actual assessment of my own values set, his Seven Habits have unquestionably made me a better, more effective person. And come to think of it, I do not think I practice all his habits to the extent I would like to. Very often, I slip and castigate myself for it.

I am reading it once more before I begin my professional work as I am sure I will again find some nuggets of wisdom that shall influence the way I approach both my work and my life.
If there is one book you may want to read and truly practice what is written there, let it be Covey's Seven Habits. You will not be disappointed!