Essay Questions

What is the first habit and why is it considered the most critical?

The habit of being proactive is the first of the titular seven habits. The author stresses that in order to be highly effective one must take time to carefully and adequately prepare: physically, mentally, emotionally, and even financially. The author also emphasized that challenges will come; it is a certainty and not a possibility. Having that mindset that problems are sure to come and so we must prepare fully for the challenges that lay ahead so that we respond in readiness rather than react out of genuine surprise--or shock--when these untoward events do happen is the first and most critical habit. This mindset will determine how we respond to challenges, which, ultimately is main determinant of our success as individuals.

What does it mean to “sharpen the saw?”

The last of the seven habits is the habit of “sharpening the saw” or the habit of constant improvement and taking the time to rest and reevaluate one’s skills and training. The author emphasizes the great need for this habit as many individuals cease to become as productive because of fatigue and burnout or their skills and training become outdated as a result of not ensuring that their skills are still relevant to their field of work.

What is the seventh habit and why it is considered pivotal in ensuring that the other seven habits are maintained?

The last habit, Sharpening the Saw, is considered pivotal to maintaining the other seven habits because it is a habit of constant improvement, rest, and re-evaluation; three habits that are either downplayed or altogether discouraged by organizations that put a premium on production regardless of the cost. The author posits that if constant improvement, rest, and re-evaluation of methods used are not applied properly an individual contributor or an organization will soon find itself operating beneath maximum efficiency because of burnout, high employee turnover rates, or simply being overtaken by their competitors because they are no longer able to keep up with them due to outdated methods of production or because they can no longer keep up with market trends and demands.