T HE 7 H ABITS OF H IGHLY E FFECTIVE T EENS A Self Help Book By Sean Covey

L ETS T ALK E FFECTIVENESS : Getting things done productively, successfully, and, most importantly, while reducing stress and maintaining a controlled lifestyle within yourself and relationships.

A BOUT THE A UTHOR Sean Covey’s background- why can he tell me what to do?

S EAN C OVEY (T HE A UTHOR ) Sean Covey was born in Ireland, however he has lived in a variety of locations ranging from South Africa; to Boston; Dallas; and Provo, Utah, where he was raised. He is currently the Vice President of Retail Stores at FranklinCovey Co. Graduated with honors from Brigham Young University, and later earned his M.B.A. from Harvard Buisness School. Sean Covey’s father, Stephen R. Covey, was the author of the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the book on which this is based.

A N I NTRODUCTION TO E FFECTIVENESS The 7 Habits, as well as other necessary foundations for an effective life.

T HE 7 H ABITS OF H IGHLY E FFECTIVE T EENS The concept portrayed throughout this book is that being effective is not something you can expect others to help you become. Effectiveness is something that stems from your own determination and drive for success as well as a happy and healthy life style. To be effective, you must be versed in at least three areas of confidence; personal, within yourself; public, among other people; and renewal, keeping yourself sharp in all aspects of life.

S ET -U P F OR T HE 7 H ABITS What are habits? Habits, Paradigms, and Principles explained

H ABITS Habit is defined as; an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary. ( Habits are some of the main factors that effect your productivity and effectiveness, be it in a positive or a negative manner. Habits do not solve all problems, but rather, provide a means of dealing with a vast majority of them as they occur. Habits shape who you are, as well as how others perceive you. Habits for success develop from the ground up beginning with private victories, followed by public victories, and ultimately, renewal.

E FFECTIVE VS D EFECTIVE H ABITS 1. Be Proactive 2. Begin with an End in Mind 3. Put First Things First 4. Think Win-Win 5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood 6. Synergize 7. ‘Sharpen the Saw’ Effective habits help to gain control, happiness, and balance in life. 1. React 2. Begin with No End in Mind 3. Put First Things Last 4. Think Win-Lose 5. Seek First to Talk, Then Pretend to Listen 6. Don’t Cooperate 7. Wear Yourself Out Defective habits present problems in life, ranging from loss of control to stress. Effective HabitsDefective Habits

P ARADIGMS AND P RINCIPLES Paradigm refers to a way of perceiving the world and events within it. Positive paradigms result in an improved perception of events, as well as seeing the good in an otherwise negative situation. Negative paradigms will cause a pessimistic outlook on life, negating many small and/or otherwise benefits gained through a struggle. Centering your life on principles (general ‘rules’ so to say of human life) results in a life that is not ruled by any one aspect over another, creating balance.

T HE F IRST S TEPS : P RIVATE V ICTORY Being proactive, setting goals, and proiritizing

P RIVATE V ICTORY : S TEPS 1-3 Steps 1, 2, and 3 focus on becoming effective within yourself. Habit 1: Be proactive, focus on taking responsibility for yourself, not blaming others or letting the actions of others significantly effect your life. Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind, focuses on goal setting, and taking productive and positive steps in achieving those goals, as well as considering how decisions will impact your life. Habit 3: Put First Things First, simply put; prioritize. If you can not complete important tasks, there is no possible way for you to bypass these problems and get to your ultimate goal in life: Effectiveness. (Show Time Quadrant Chart: Page 107)

R ECREATION OF C HART ON P AGE 107 UrgentNot Urgent Important1.Procrastination Exam Tomorrow Friend Gets Injured Late for Work Project Due Today Car Breaks Down 2. Prioritizing Planning, Goal Setting Essay Due in a Week Exercise Relationships Relaxation Not Important 3. ‘Yes-Man’ Unimportant Phone Calls Interruptions Other People’s Small Problems Peer Pressure 4. Slacker Too Much TV Endless Phone Calls Excessive Computer Games Mall Marathons Time Wasters The Time Quadrants

T RANSITIONING : T HE P UBLIC V ICTORY Seeing the positive side of things, being considerate of others, and cooperation

P UBLIC V ICTORY : S TEPS 4-6 Steps 4, 5, and 6 focus on developing healthy and positive relationships with other people. Habit 4: Think Win-Win, this mindset when approaching situations assures you that regardless of the final outcome, you will be gaining a positive experience. (Quote: page 159) Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood; being considerate of others and understanding more than just what they are communicating, but also why, before inputting your own ideas is crucial in being effective in a public setting Habit 6: Synergize, teamwork and open-mindedness between two or more people in effort to provide improved productivity and effectiveness. (Quote/Activity: Page 186)

T HE E ND G OAL : R ENEWAL The last step in becoming a highly effective person

R ENEWAL - H ABIT 7: ‘S HARPENING THE S AW ’ This habit revolves around regular self renewal throughout four primary dimensions in life- the body, the brain, the heart, and the soul. The most important aspects for renewal within the body is keeping yourself healthy; sleep, relaxation, exercise, and eating healthy are all important. To keep the brain sharp, reading, writing, and learning are all important. Renewal of the heart comes primarily from building relationships, giving service, laughing, and enjoying yourself within your life. Spiritual renewal (of the soul) comes from meditation, quality media intake, as well as prayer.

E VALUATION What does this book do well?

E VALUATION This book is exceptionally well at the presentation of main points, in an understandable, comprehensible manner. Due to this clear delivery, the book is able to present many superb concepts and ideas that accentuate the importance of taking control of your own life, and detail the positive effects of doing so. The book itself has many ‘activities’ of which the reader can complete to achieve a better understanding of who he or she is, as well as where he or she is striving to go in life and how these goals can be made obtainable.

A PPLICATION TO L IFE How does this book apply to me?

A PPLICATION This book does an exceptional job at selling it’s main points; emphasizing what needs to be done, and why. Filled with a variety of stories from the lives of other teens, the book shows many practical situations in which the book’s concepts can be applied directly to a common occurrence. Time management, as well as looking to the future are emphasized throughout, bringing these concepts into the spotlight, begging the reader to ask how well he or she manages his or her time, and if not, how better to do so.

C LOSING S TATEMENTS

Highly recommended for those who need to better nearly any aspect of their lives, ranging from personal criticism, to troubles in relationships with others, this book is inclusive of any and all things that could better key skills and concepts in any person’s life. Getting things done productively, successfully, reducing stress and keeping life under control should be important goals in anyone’s life, and this book ensures readers with tools, followed up by many life lessons, to not only ensure that readers grasp these concepts, but also retain these skills throughout their lifetime.