The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey

I first read Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People some years ago and have re-read it a couple of times. It is a brilliant and highly useful source of inspiration for changing your life for the better. I must admit though at times I found it a little preachy – not enough to put me off or detract from the lessons it contained but a minor irritation.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families presents a side to Covey which I hadn’t imagined and which made this book even more compelling for me; and I think for you. Through anecdotes from his family and his own honesty he is shown to be as flawed as the rest of us. A man just as guilty of mistakes, frustration and temper as any normal person. Yet a man able to acknowledge his mistakes, take responsibility for them, apologise and take action to be better. The seven habits here are framed in the family context; relating to parent, spouse and sibling relationships.

The Foreword alone by Covey’s wife, Sandra, will captivate as you as will the next chapter YOU’RE GOING TO BE “OFF TRACK” 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME. SO WHAT?

Then before you even get to the habits the concept of a “pause button” alone makes the book worthwhile and is exactly what my Strive band helps me achieve – that moment between stimulus and response. Staying on course rather than being reactive.

I don’t want to preach but I believe this is an invaluable resource they its easy to relate to.