Yes! Put down 7 Habits right now! Pick up FAW! Both can change your life. One for the better. The other for the worse.
FWIW, one is full of theoretical fluff from someone who earns through selling books and tapes. Do what he says and you make actually take your focus OFF the ball. The other is about the best of us who have achieved remarkable things. Now which one do you really want to read?
(As far as habits are concerned, I just changed ONE HABIT to be more like some guy named Wozniak. This changed my entire thinking about my project and has made all the difference. I would name the habit something like "Loading all of the details about one thing into my head's main memory at the same time". Reread Chapter 3 to see what I'm talking about.)
It's funny that you all say that about 7 Habits. It's the hardest for me to get through. I only got through the first chapter and I haven't learned anything that I can really use.
FAW is great for case studies of other startups (both successful and otherwise).
HTWF I've also only gone through the first chapter but I've gotten a lot more out of it than 7 Habits.
I love the whole self-help genre. I love anything that helps people to think more positively. For many people, that's half the battle.
I just don't think that hackers are affected nearly as much as others. Do affirmations, examine past lives, move your body, make lists, think good thoughts, everything will be alright, etc., etc., etc. All good stuff.
The problem is that it's just too easy to get caught up "doing all that good stuff" that you lose focus from your project.
OK, I'll compromise a little. Read HTWF and Think and Grow Rich. Then get back to work.
I disagree completely. In my opinion, quite the opposite, actually. "How to win friends..." gives you shortcuts in life. It's all about pretending to be someone else to get short-term gains. Doesn't work quite as well in the long term though.
"7 Habits" is about how to better yourself, which gives you immensely greater long-term benefits. The downside of that is you're going to need to put in a lot more work to see them. You won't find advice like "just smile" in "7 habits".
