First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, Rebecca R. Merrill Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of First Things First
Book Review: From Covey cynic to convert
Summary: 5 Stars
I admit it, I was a Covey cynic. I hadn't read him, but had heard him quoted ad nauseum. Now, I'm a convert. This thoughtful book transforms bland time management techniques into tools for re-examining your life in terms of personalized mission statements. In this rushed world, the idea of deeply knowing what you want out of life and making sure that your activities fit in with that knowledge is radically different. Balance is emphasized, with that balance organized around your roles in life and real human needs, "to learn, to live, to love and to leave a legacy." Covey divides all activities into four quadrants: 1.Important and Urgent (crises, deadline-driven projects) 2.Important, Not Urgent (preparation, prevention, planning, relationships) 3.Urgent, Not Important (interruptions, many pressing matters) 4.Not Urgent, Not Important (trivia, time wasters)The idea is to keep your activities primarily in the second category and to consciously choose activities because of what's important, not because of what's urgent. Covey et al also provide a list of the "Wisdom Literature" from around the world to help you ground your personal mission and life goals in the philosophies that have explored these ideas through the centuries. Don't try to read this book without allowing plenty of reflection time. After you've read the book, you'll allow plenty of reflection time for everything.
Book Review: Good Book
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this book because I needed some guidance to start putting things back in order in my life. Eventhough it focus on business and work, it provides some helpful hints to apply on you personal life.Book Review: Great Follow-up to the 7 Habits!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book provides useful, profound, and much-needed advice to people who are over-worked, stressed, fatigued, have poor relationships, and feel helpless and hopeless in general. Most people think that to be more effective they have to give up sleep, exercise, friends, and work more and faster. This book provides a revolutionary solution to problems that so many people suffer from. By putting First Things First, you can be more effective while working less and feeling better. First Things First has its roots from The Seven Habits, which I would recommend reading first. The 7 Habits is more general and fundamental, while First Things is more dynamic, practical, detailed, and specific. Read them both!Book Review: Highly recommend this book. Time is money!
Summary: 5 Stars
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by little things, frustrated with traditional time management, and in need of some tools to bring clearer focus to their life and their goals.
Rather than offering you another clock, First Things First provides you with a compass. While other programs teach you harder, faster, and smarter First Things First teaches you direction and priorities because where you are heading is more important than how fast you are going.
This is the best book on time management I have ever read.. It takes the "Habits" principles--sometimes a bit too abstract and shows you how to put them to work. Excellence is not required by their success formula. You are guided in choosing how driven you want to be by your priorities, and you'll know what (or who) is suffering when you decide to read junk mail.
I started to look for Rags to Riches stories for inspiration and motivation and I bumped into Horatio Alger novels. In many of these stories you can see how ordinary people apply time management, most times unconsciously, to achieve amazing things. Enjoy:
Do and Dare: A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune
Driven from Home: Carl Crawford's Experience
The Errand Boy: A Classic Rags to Riches Story!
Fame and Fortune: A Classic Rags to Riches Story!
Frank and Fearless: The Fortunes of Jasper Kent
Book Review: Inspiritional and practical
Summary: 5 Stars
USA Today said that Stephen Covey is the hottest self-improvement consultant to hit U.S. business since Dale Carnegie and I agree. Covey is the best.In First Things First, Covey discloses powerful time management techniques. What makes this book different from typical time management books and programs is that Covey shows you how to see the whole picture rather than tiny fragments of our lives.
Before reading and applying the techniques in First Things First, I would always lament
"I have too much to do---and not enough time to do it."
"I can't balance my personal life with my business life."
"There is too little of me and too much to do."
"I don't feel in controlof my life."
"Why do I feel so empty all the time."
What you won't find in this book is another daytimer program or another clock. Covey explains why it is more important to know where you are heading instead of how fast you are going. You won't find the old theory of working harder, faster, smarter and more, more, more. It's about effectiveness, not efficiency. And most importantly, it really works.
Thank you Dr. Covey!