A Classic for a Reason

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has become the classic tome for organization and motivation - and for good reason. Stephen Covey researched self-help and motivational books from several decades before finding the common themes and identifying what worked in the prior literature. Taking that information, Covey reconfigured it, updated it for the new, high-tech demands of modern life, and created a book that can be life-changing for its readers.

When I first picked up this book, I thought it would be about how to get more things done in less time. Well that's in there, but that's not the most important part of this text. Covey first has his readers examine what's important in their lives - family, friends, career, etc. - and then helps them identify what can be done to have the greatest effect on the highest-priority items. From there he leads the readers into setting goals for their various roles in life. By the time I got to the do-more-in-less-time section, I was more than ready to follow every suggestion so I could get stuff done and reach my goals, goals that were truly meaningful to me.

I first read this book about five years ago. I set some goals and started working toward them. I didn't follow every step or piece of advice to the letter, many times I let the goals slide, but nevertheless, I'm working on some goals, I've reached some goals, and in my career I've far surpassed my original goals. What's important to note is that before I had the goals fully formulated and written down, I didn't think about them and would not have taken the first necessary steps - and therefore wouldn't be where I am today.

Some people find Covey's book idealistic (which it can be, at times - you wish there were more real-life examples of implementing the concepts and where the steps hit roadblocks, for example). Others find Covey's system to be too structured, time-consuming or complicated. I suggest that readers go through the book and do the exercises they find meaningful. Follow the steps and directions they feel make sense. Adapt the system to what meets your needs. I re-read the book at least once a year to get myself back "on track," to reinspire myself, and to assess if there are more tricks I'd like to add to my goal setting and time management systems.

If you like Covey, you might also want to check out Hyrum Smith's book, The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management. Smith was going down the same road as Covey, philosophy-wise, and the two later joined their efforts, merging into the Franklin Covey business. Smith has the same basic premise regarding setting goals and what works to help people use their time on earth wisely, and some people might prefer his organization and conceptualization. While I like Smith's book, I LOVE Covey's, and have recommended it to my family, friends, clients -- anyone who tells me he is trying to put things together but doesn't know where to start.