Book Review of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey

Have you ever looked over at a family that looks as if they have it all together? Have you wondered what it is they’re doing that makes them so successful? Has there been a time in your own family where you have struggled to hold it together? Do you have a great family but you want to make it better? Then The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey is the book for you!

Blurb:

“With the same profound insight, simplicity, and practical wisdom that have already reached tens of millions of readers, Stephen R. Covey demonstrates how the principles he introduced in The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People can be used to build the kind of strong, loving family that lasts for generations. As Covey says, ‘When you raise your children, you are also raising your grandchildren.

Covey explains that strong families don’t just happen, but need the combined energy, talent, desire, vision, and dedication of all their members. Sharing insightful, often poignant or humorous experiences from his own life and from the lives of other families, he imparts practical advice on solving common family dilemmas, such as finding quality time to spend together, dealing with family disputes, healing a broken relationship, and changing a negative family atmosphere.

He shows how families can learn to incorporate principles into their daily lives through activities, meetings, and games that involve all family members and help to create a spirit of understanding, support, and enthusiasm.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families is destined to become the preeminent work on the family, providing a new benchmark on a very important global topic.”

My Book Review:

This book is very well written. Even though it’s self help, it’s easy to read and understand. It flows well, and has enough humor and anecdotes to make it an enjoyable read. Covey has included many examples written by people who have implemented the strategies in their own lives. I liked these examples a lot because they help show how the strategies work. They also show that the strategies put forth are practical, useful, and attainable. This book discusses common sense solutions and talks about the importance of self -improvement.

I really liked how at the end of each chapter there is a page titled, “Sharing this chapter with adults and teens.” There’s another on how to share the info. with children, which is so helpful. Also listed at the end of each chapter is an action step. It lists 3-4 things you may do with your family to implement the strategy discussed.

By the time I finished reading this book, I had many pages marked and lots of quotes underlined. Here are a few of my favorites:

Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness.

My friend, love is a verb. Love–the feeling–is a fruit of love the verb. So love her. Sacrifice. Lister to her. Empathize. Appreciate. Affirm her.

There is a difference between principles (or true north) and our behavior (or direction of travel).

The greatest thing you can do for your children is love your spouse.

Be patient with yourself. Even be patient with your own impatience.

I highly recommend this book. It’s full of examples, humor, and practical advice. I have a great family and family life, but I wanted to make it better. The information in this book helped to do that. I would recommend this book to any individual or family that wants to take a good thing and make it great.