Unlike many other books that might be classified as personal development, self-help or self-management books, "The 7 Habits..." does not give you quick rules. The book describes a principle-centered approach to life and habits based on that approach. The title might suggest a time-management book, but it is not. It is not a GTD-like book and it will not keep your inbox at zero.

The habits are by no means quick and easy solutions, they require a lot of effort, strength and perseverance, but they all just "feel right".

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I don't think that any review written now can really do this book justice. We are too far removed, and have too frequently read these ideas in other forms and adaptations, to adequately review this book. At least, that's how it was for me -- as I was reading, I kept running into ideas that I was sure I had heard before, somewhere or another. And in the intervening two decades since this book was first published and has sold -- what, 15 million copies? -- Covey's ideas have certainly made their rounds. What was once cutting-edge and incredibly eye-opening has now become every man's mid-morning lecture, which is perhaps the truest testimony to the strength of the material to be found in this book.

Reading it in 2009, though, I have to say that I find the language and basic life construct presented in the book rather outdated: men are displayed as the movers and shakers, while women seem relegated to defending the home. Covey seems to ignore women's movements into the workplace, even as that trend was in full swing. Also, the book seems to suffer from an attempt to enforce a life meaning or mission, without pausing to consider our motivation in finding such a meaning. Covey's approach is not overwhelmingly controlled by any particular prevailing dogma, but it does seem dependent on respect for a higher being. If you're not already an innately spiritual or religious person, I can imagine this approach would be rather grating.

The overall gist of the book, though, transcends any sort of religious approach to a more deeply humanist approach: integrity is supreme, and we as a society and culture are not yet exercising it sufficiently. No matter whether you subscribe to Covey's principles or not, this basic underlying tenet is a good reminder.

Overall, a worthy read, if you can get past the outdatedness. [Note: I read the first edition; I don't know if later editions have been updated to compensate for this outdatedness. I'd also be interested to read some of his later books and see how he targets these plans to different audiences (e.g., kids, teens, etc.).]

This book is the main text of a secular religion. Stephen Covey is/was a practicing Mormon; this, however, is his personal religion and faith. Reading his preface, Covey says that the more he practices his own principles, the more he realizes that he has not actually put his own principles into practice. This is a religion of salvation by works, though Covey does not say that in so many words. On page 11, Covey wrote that the ultimate source of his principles is God.
I say this is a secular religion because there are scant references to God or Scripture, but each principle is referred to as an ultimate principle. A Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Mormon, Catholic, Unitarian, or Baptist could all equally practice Covey's principles without equivocation.
So, the principles are useful insofar as they are also utilitarian; Covey's ideas are dangerous insofar as they place human effort above God's Sovereignty and Grace. There is no mercy here, only work and self effort.
Be careful reading and implementing the principles of this books to not lose sight of Whose we are, and Who is really in control. ( )

The seven habits are universal and applicable not only at work, but also at home. They deserve reading and re-reading year after year. The only problem I have with the author is that some of the stories told are simply too neat and perfect, and they leave the reader feeling just a bit as if they are being talked down to. The whole "clean and green" story just seems to have been enhanced, and is told with such extreme detail you simply want it to end. ( )