The Godfather of professional development and personal productivity has passed away. Tweet this
Dr. Stephen Covey, author of the classic book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has died from the complications of a bicycle accident last April.
I can’t tell you how important this man was to me and the development of my career.
In addition to writing one of the most popular self-improvement books of all time, Dr. Covey was an inspirational role model for this author and speaker.
I vividly remember the last time I saw Stephen Covey. It was in a large hotel meeting room in Kansas City.
There was no backstage area and I knew that any special guests would be likely to enter the door closest to the podium, so I sat up front hoping to meet the legend.
Good things happen when you sit in front
A few minutes before the program began, a bald, unassuming man walked into the room without fanfare or an entourage and sat right…next… to me!
We chatted for a few minutes before the program began and it was a great moment for me. Later, I got to be in a group photo with Dr. Covey and some other attendees (above).
The 7 habits
Covey’s most famous book is not an easy read. Heck the audio book isn’t much easier to get through.
The good doctor was not an entertainer, he was an intellect. He wasn’t funny; he was smart. Covey’s content was what I call a “slow cook.”
For the uninitiated, here’s are the seven habits, along with a brief description of each.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Prioritize, plan, and execute your week’s tasks based on importance rather than urgency.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Strive for mutually beneficial solutions. Understand that a “win” for all is crucial to a “good deal.”
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Create an atmosphere of caring, respect, and positive problem solving. Empathic listening compels others to be 0pen to you.
Habit 6: Synergize
Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals no one person could have done alone.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle.
I read “7 Habits” and then created this product
Success in a box
Dr. Covey’s 7 Habits book inspired me to create the FastLearnerAudio series.
It helps people with the four topics that are most important to achieving productivity: time, difficult people, success habits, and stress.
FLA1 for Personal Development has been called “success in a box.” It contains four 60-minute audio CDs and four 30-page e-books.
This has become one of my best-selling products and I owe it all to the Godfather of professional development.
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Tags: 7 habits, begin with the end in mind, michael Angelo Caruso, motivation, productivity, sharpen the saw, Stephen Covey
Michael Angelo Caruso, you continue to be extraordinary. Thanks for sharing your reflections on Dr. Covey and his impact on your life and success. Equally, you have continued to share his legacy with meaningful understanding, thank you.
Michael, You are every bit as inspiring as Covey. I hope you have a great year as Troy Rotary president. Ben
Wow! Your comment makes my day, Ben. High praise, indeed. Would be honored for you to speak to Troy Rotary during my year as President, sir. Does Wednesdays at Noon work for you? If so I’ll connect you with program chair, John Buckert to set it up.
And thank you, too, John T. I miss your smiling face and hope to see you again soon! Feel free to leave your website in this space so my friends who need a good speaker can find you.