Blog Prompt : A book my mother shared with me

My mother shared with me this book : The 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey. She first read the book many years ago when she was just starting out as an Accountant. It took her an entire week to finish the book, after which she constantly referred to and studied the various codes. It was a groundbreaker for her as she saw both her professional as well as personal situations brought to new height. It was a book she referred to and read and re-read all these years as she saw herself evolved from being a professional to a mother.


The author put forth a framework that articulated the 7 habits, which are common knowledge to all but not necessarily practiced. By working hard to internalised the 7 habits, my mother developed a proactive attitude to setting goals, taking charge, leading and exerting influence , and at the same time ensuring win-win situations.

I recalled that my mother introduced the book to me last year. Her very first advice: have a paradigm shift, to think out of the box, to change your perception and interpretation of how things work as suggested by the author. At first it seemed like commonsense but to be effective requires constant awareness and efforts. Right now, I am still utilising the 7 habits to improve and develop myself as an all rounded student, a responsible and caring son and brother. It is one book I will keep with me for a long time, like my mother.