Seven Habits Blog #1

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

 ~Aristotle

I really liked in the introduction of the book this quote by Aristotle.  In the introduction I like how our character is defined as a composite of our habits(habits that can be learned and unlearned).  Then habit is broken down into three categories: knowledge, skill, and desire.  All three of these components must be present in order to create a functioning habit. 

Habits are constantly changing too in order to produce HAPPINESS an emotion everyone is striving to feel.  So these Seven Habits are supposed to be progressive changes on the Maturity Continuum from dependence to independence to interdependence.  I had never thought of a process towards maturity or that habits can be the vehicle in which you use to accomplish interdependence.

 Another thing i like just inside the introduction is how the habits have been broken down.  The first three are called "Private Victories" in which one masters oneself.  The second three are called "Public Victories" which deals with teamwork, communication, and cooperation.  Habit 7 is a habit of self renewal.  So once you apply all of the new habits you discover losing the old and only keeping the productive you can use a little self renewal to rest and recuperate from an overdose of self improvement.

You get to take away what you want from this book rather than feel like this self-help book is cramming information down your throat expecting you to swallow it whole.