Synopses & Reviews
In the ten years since its publication,
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has become a worldwide phenomenon, with more than twelve million readers in thirty-two languages.
Living the 7 Habits: Stories of Courage and Inspiration captures the essence of people's real-life experiences, applying proven principles to help them solve their problems and overcome challenges. In this uplifting and riveting collection of stories, readers will find wonderful examples of hope and encouragement as they are touched by the words of real people and their experiences of change -- change that got them through difficult times; change that solved family crises; change that mended broken relationships; change that turned their businesses around; change that influenced entire communities.
The readers' understanding is enhanced by the personal commentary and added insights of Dr. Stephen R. Covey, as he explains how the application of his principles aided each situation. He also adds other provocative examples throughout the book that show how these applications can enhance your life. Whether you have read his previous works or not, these touching and powerful stories will enthrall and inspire you with an energizing recognition of your own freedom, potential, and power.
To live with change, to optimize change, you need principles that don't change. I cannot fully describe the respect and reverence I have for every person who has contributed a story, for their willingness to share their inward struggles to live by universal and self-evident principles. You can tell that all of them are rich human beings who should be respected for what they represent, for what they are trying to accomplish, and for what they have accomplished. Their stories are splendid illustrations of profound change. I feel humbled by their humanity and profoundly grateful for their sharing.
-- Stephen R. Covey
Review
Jack Canfield
coauthor, New York Times #1 bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series
Once again, Stephen Covey has found a way to touch the lives of every man, woman, and child. This book shares extraordinary stories from people who offer you a look into their extraordinary lives.
Review
Richard Carlson
author, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff
This book touched my heart. It will bring to life and help you put into practice some of the most important lessons of being human. Without a doubt, this is another Covey masterpiece!
Review
Ken Blanchard
coauthor, The One Minute Manager
Stephen Covey guides us through a collage of real stories, inspiring us to habitually live by and run our organizations by the simple truths needed for success in today's rapidly changing world.
Review
John Gray
author, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
Stephen Covey has touched the lives of many. This book offers hope and proves the 7 Habits are truly worth LIVING.
About the Author
Stephen R. Covey is an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, founder of the former Covey Leadership Center, and cochairman of Franklin Covey Co. He has made teaching Principle-Centered Living and Principle-Centered Leadership his life's work.
Dr. Covey is the author of several acclaimed books, including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which was chosen by readers of Chief Executive magazine as the #1 most influential book of the twentieth century. Dr. Covey's most recent book, The Nature of Leadership, explores leadership principles through interviews and the lens of a camera.
Among recent acknowledgments, Dr. Covey has received the Thomas More College Medallion for continuing service to humanity, the Toastmasters International Top Speaker Award, Ernst & Young and Inc. magazine's National Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and several honorary doctorates.He has also been recognized as one of Time magazine's twenty-five most influential Americans.
Stephen, his wife, Sandra, and their family live in the Rocky Mountains of Utah.
Table of Contents
CONTENTSGETTING THE MOST OUT OF THIS BOOK
INDIVIDUAL
Courage to Change
- How Could I Waste My Life?
- Moving Out to the Country
- It's Never Too Late to Change
- Living for Today
- My Flower Shop
- My Living Nightmare
- You're Successful...but Are You Happy?
- A Prisoner's Story
Seeking Life Balance
- Room 602 of the Oncology Critical Care Unit
- Daddy, I Want You to Be Healthy
- Wednesday Evening: My Time with Mom
- I Looked in the Mirror and Saw a Control Freak
- The Surprise Visit
- Stephanie's Recovery Plan
FAMILY
Raising Young Children
- Because...
- The Head-Butt
- I Can Choose My Life
- Our Family Poster
- I'm Not Going to School Ever Again
- Daddy, I Gotta Go Potty
- Off to Bed!
- Grandpa's Lap
- The Journal
Raising Teens (Or Is It Being Raised by Them?)
- My First Broken Heart
- Wrestlemania
- Silence Is Golden
- The Worst Game of My Life!
- Soft-Spiked Golf Shoes
- The Destructive Teen
- The Heart-to-Heart Talk I Almost Missed
- You Always Say "No"!
- Ever Tried Communicating with a Sixteen-Year-Old Who Talks in One-Word Sentences?
- Raising Boys on Lawns
- You'd Really Do That for Me, Dad?
Marriage: Valuing the Differences
- Celebrating the Differences
- SportsCenter
- Love Is a Verb
- The Greenhouse
- My Free-Spirited Husband
- Merging Missions
- Miss Superwasherwoman
COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION
Building Community
- Brenda Krause Eheart, Founder, Hope for the Children Foundation
- Stone
- The Rabbi
- Leaving a Legacy of Service and Humility
- Synergy of a Coach
- Saving a Historical Treasure
- South Bend, Indiana: Reaching Across Generations to Better a Community
Back to School
- Sharlee Doxey-Stockdale, Sixth-Grade Teacher, Monte Vista Elementary School
- Facing Tragedy
- Just Cut Through the Bull
- Students: The Customer?
- Just Try Dismissing a Tenured Teacher
- This Classroom Belongs to...Me!
WORKPLACE
Increasing Your Influence
- Ninety Days
- If Looks Could Kill
- I've Tried for Months to Offend You
- Do You Just Not Like Working Here?
- Gossip Addiction
Managing: Think Win-Win
- Fifty Years of Loyalty
- Be Patient...They're Learning
- The Million-Dollar Question
- Shape Up or Ship Out
- Closing Down the Plant
- The Troubled Employee
- Bill Phifer, General Manager, Cosmo's Fine Foods
- The Deal Is Off
- Finding the Third Alternative
Leading Organizations
- Colin Hall, Executive Chairman, Wooltru Limited, South Africa
- Doug Conant, President, Nabisco U.S. Foods Group
- Pete Beaudrault, COO, Hard Rock Cafe
- Chris Turner, Learning Person, Xerox Business Services
- Jack Little, President and CEO, Shell Oil Company
- Michael Bassis, President, Olivet College
- Wood Dickinson, CEO, Dickinson Theatres
- John Noel, CEO, Noel Group
SHARING YOUR STORY
QUESTIONS I AM OFTEN ASKED
MEASURING THE IMPACT
ABOUT FRANKLIN COVEY CO.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR