Covey 7 Habits: Can Covey's 7 Habits be Separated from "Religiosity"

I would like to speculate on whether there is something "religious" about the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Click Here TO SHOP FOR SELF-HELP!

Covey's 7 Habits are not of course specifically religious. There are references to various religions here and there throughout his books, but there is no sense that this is a missionary project in the sense of trying to convert the reader to belief in God. God, in fact, is almost never mentioned.

Why would this be so, given Covey's obvious connection to the Mormon Church?

Covey, I think, is claiming to have uncovered "patterns for living" that exist, in a sense, regardless of religion. For example, it is simply part of human nature, a rule of human dynamics, that if you truly seek to understand another person's point of view, then they will become more open to your own; in addition, there is also a logical point concealed here: if you want to interact with someone, the more you know about them the more effective your interaction is going to be; it is just "obvious" common sense.

Similarly, focusing on preparation over impulsive action is simply one of those "common sense" facts of life, that people frequently forget.

I feel then that Covey and the 7 Habits, while certainly coming across in tone at times like something resembling a religious text, is largely secular, universally applicable, common sense, but common sense many or most of us tend to ignore, and often do so at our peril.

Click Here TO SHOP FOR SELF-HELP!


KEYWORDS: STEPHEN COVEY, 7 HABITS, SEVEN HABITS, SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE, stephen covey, covey, 7 habits, covey 7 habits