Rating: 
Summary: Beware: Psycho-babbler at work
Review: There's really no point in writing a lengthy review about a book as naff as this. So here, instead, are two snippets which seem to me to sum up the whole spirit and content of this SERIOUSLY OVER-RATED book:On pages 86-88 we are told that we must all be proactive, because being proactive is better than anything. Particularly if your boss is an ignorant tyrant - in which case you should proactively start sucking up to him before anyone else gets in as No. 1 "yes" man. You should also learn to practise emotional blackmail wherever you can. Treat other people nicely, so that they always "owe you one", especially your friends and relations (Covey calls this creating an "emotional bank account"!) (pp.188-202). So, if that's your idea of how a "successful" person would behave, then this may be the book for you.
If you're aiming for something with rather more integrity, however, then I'd recommend that you avoid this book like the plague.
Rating:
Summary: What happened to the book I ordered?
Review: Couldn't believe it when I received a tiny little "mini-book" which I rate "0", when I had read an interesting excerpt on this book, ordered that book, and the book I received did not even include the "excerpt", much less anything else I expected to receive. Guess I'll have to take my loss, but I will not be so trusting anymore. I think I deserve some sort of credit for getting such a disappointing book, not as advertised.
Rating:
Summary: Insulting
Review: This book is an insult to people who do honest work in psychotherapy. This book is catered towards people who do not want to put the time and effort into changing their life. Life is difficult, yes but there are no easy answers. I would rate Dr. Covey as the second-worst author on the market (Next to Dr. Laura) for this reason - life is about the process, not about outcomes and by just focusing on what your want your life to be like wihout focusing on the work to get there, you'll never get there.
Rating:
Summary: BEWARE
Review: This is a MINI book. It only has EXCERPTS from the original Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I was SO disappointed to receive a book 3 inches by 3 inches with a half dozen pages of prose. It wasn't worth the money. I sent it back. No where in the quick display is "MINI BOOK" indicated. I feel like I was tricked.
Rating: 
Summary: Every life coach should read this
Review: I must have read this book at least 10 times over the years and every time I read it I find something new. Sometimes it's a piece of information that hadn't stood out before and sometimes it's a connection I hadn't made in the past. This really is a wonderful book. Not only from the perspective that it offers good advice but because the concept of the "Habits" is so well integrated. The 7 habits really do all fit together forming a " Unified Field Theory" of personal development. After you've read the book so many times and applied it in your life and in helping other people you really begin to appreciate it more. In my work as a personal coach it is a resource I use often. I can't imagine how anyone could buy this book and be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Influential and effective..
Review: I haven't read a great deal of 'self-help' books, but there is a reason why this one is so popular. Covey writes on a level that everyone can relate to yet he keeps the book both informative and interesting. One quote I found interesting is "sew a thought, reap an action, sew an action, reap a habit, sew a habit, reap a character, sew a character reap a destiny." Each chapter begins with similar qoutes and then goes on to focus on the habit at hand. This book has helped me both personnaly and prfessionally. One of the criticisms is that the book contains 'simple' ideas and overly drawn out schemes devised to invoke a well characterized individual. This criticism is ridiculous because we all know that things done well take time. And although Covey's ideas may sound simple, they are easier said than done. In short I found the book both helpful and interesting and I'm sure I'll refer to it from time to time. I will suggest the book to friends and family and I suggest it to who ever is reading this now!
Rating: 
Summary: Recommended
Review: Given the reviews below which give detailed accounts of the book, I'll stick to my main thoughts: 1) The effectiveness principals described in the book have been helpful for me, and for others I know. If you are having trouble finding time to do the things you need to do (going to the gym, making time for your family, etc) this book will be helpful. It has been on the NY Times bestseller list for a very long time, so I guess it must be working for others, too. 2) The title is misleading. The book is not about time management in the traditional sense (i.e. how to get more work done); it's designed to improve your life by aligning your efforts with your governing principals, and improving the effectiveness with which you interact with others. The author spends a lot of time addressing morality, governing values, and other areas you might not expect from the book's title. If you are not interested in addressing these soft issues, don't bother reading the book. 3) While an easy read, the book is longer than it needs to be. The principals are fairly simple, and I found myself quickly scanning the chapters out of boredom. Like any personal changes, the tough part isn't learning what to do, it's actually doing it. Also, expect some soft-sell references to the corresponding day planner & other merchandise from the Franklin-Covey product line.
Rating:
Summary: An in-depth exploration.
Review: Steven R. Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" asserts that habits are powerful elements in our lives that can pull us either toward or away from a fulfilling life. Rather than turning effectiveness, balance, growth and interdependence into an unattainable set of ideals, he presents them as a lifestyle, partners to the 7 habits that are genuine expressions of one's self. One interesting distinction he makes is the difference between "being" and "seeing," that someone's opinion of their life has little to do with the way they are in reality. I enjoyed this comparison, as it illuminates the value of having a system like the "habits" that supports people in living from their actual strengths rather than from their self-perceived limitations. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is an exploration into what is possible for human beings. I also suggest that anyone interested in expanding their awareness and effectiveness in all areas of life read "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work," by Ariel & Shya Kane, a simple, fun, direct and powerful guide to being present to your life in each moment.
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Summary: Should have been called: "Personal Development For Dummies"!
Review: How anyone could benefit from this book is beyond me!
Covey misunderstands key concepts of the psychological theories that he uses, and the "preachings" of integrity and personal values should bring nothing new to a fairly normal person.
"Don't lie, or people will eventually lose trust in you" is as groundbreaking and informative as writing "Don't bang your head repeatedly against the wall, or you will end up with a headache"!! This mix of Kant'ian and judeo-christian philosophy with popular psychology and painfully obvious common sense just doesn't cut it! Poor job, Stephen!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Insight... Read Objectively..
Review: The 7 habits is a timeless collection of values which can be traced back to early religious teachings and the protestant work ethic. I'm not a big personal development reader, I was assigned this book in a management course, but I think reading the 7 habits can benefit everyone. The fundamentals behind the 7 habits have been in place for a very long time. Covey recognized these fundamentals and puts them to use in to an consolidated reference. I don't agree with all that Covey says, I really think he tries to bring in too much spirituality in to this book. Also, some of his examples are all too rosy. How come there are no examples of failures? Surely he hasn't had a 100% success rate as a consultant. We can learn much if not more from failures than successes. I still think this is a great book but the reader needs to look at this book objectively. Too many people read this book and follow Covey blindly without taking the time to analyze his examples and concepts.
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