Covey discusses envisioning what one wants in the future (a personal mission statement) so one can work and plan towards it, and understanding how people make important life decisions.

Thinking win–win isn't about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique; it is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration, says Covey.

Habit 5 is expressed in the ancient Greek philosophy of three modes of persuasion: The order of the concepts indicates their relative importance, says Covey.

Covey says that one should balance and renew one's resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle.

Through conscience, along with meaningful and consistent progress, an upward spiral will result in growth, change, and constant improvement.

In essence, one is always attempting to integrate and master the principles outlined in The 7 Habits at progressively higher levels at each iteration.

Subsequent development on any habit will render a different experience and one will learn the principles with a deeper understanding.

According to Covey, one must continue consistently educating the conscience with increasing levels in order to grow and develop on the upward spiral.

The idea of renewal by education will propel one along the path of personal freedom, security, wisdom, and power, says Covey.

This was later followed by The 6 Most Important Decisions You Will Ever Make: A Guide for Teens (2006), which highlights key times in the life of a teen and gives advice on how to deal with them, and The 7 Habits of Happy Kids (2008), a children's book illustrated by Stacy Curtis that further simplifies the 7 habits for children and teaches them through stories with anthropomorphic animal characters.