Rating: 
Summary: Better Than Seven Habits
Review: This is the best book on time management I have ever read. "First Things First" puts "Seven Habits" into action. It takes the "Habits" principles--sometimes a bit too abstract (and obtuse) and shows you how to put them to work. If you find you don't have time for the people and things that are really important in your life, read this book. If you take the suggestions seriously, you will never again short-change what you love. And, if you do, you will be at least be aware of your choices. A word of warning, though: Covey has an entire catalogue of products to sell you to support "First Things First," but the company does seem to be committed to "principle centered" business
Rating:
Summary: Inspiritional and practical
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Puttting first things first
Review: What I like about Dr. Covey is that he can take such a basic concept, one that we all know we should do (but don't don't) and then beat it to death to drill it's importance to us. First Things First is such a book. Sounds simple doesn't it? But how many people actually do it? This book by Dr. Covey will shoul dyou how to place your priorities, get more done in less time and achieve your goals. First Things First should be read in addition, not in place of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Great book. A must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Changing the way you live your life...
Review: When I began reading this book, I was only reading it because it was required for a business class I am taking. I was skeptical about what Covey was saying because I felt my life was fine the way it was. The book got a little deep at times and I really needed to concentrate to get through it and understand it but when I did, I began to rethink all of the things I do in my life. Covey talks about "The Farming Principle." He tells you about a farmer that needs to plant the seeds and cultivate the land over a period of time to get the best results and reap the full benefits. He said that you can't do all of that in a day or a week and expect to really be successful. This was the point of the book that changed the way I think about things in my life. I live my life through cramming everyone that is urgent in and as long as I got it done at the end of the day, no matter what I had to put aside to accomplish it, I was a success. This is the wrong way to think because you really feel an emptiness inside for the things you missed while doing the other things. Covey shows us ways to look inside of yourselves and determine what our priorities are. Once you sort out all of the roles you play and decide what is most important, Covey shows you how to work all of it together so you finish your day feeling whole and fulfilled. Although I haven't completely implemented everything that Covey mentioned in the book, the seed has been planted and little by little, I am working on changing my life. This isn't something that happens over night but Covey gives you the steps and the encouragement to work on bettering the way you live your life to achieve true success.
Rating: 
Summary: If you've read '7 Habits' you don't need to read this
Review: When I read this book, the movie, Princess Bride, came to mind. In it, Vizzini, one of the characters in that movie, uses the word "inconceivable" repeatedly. Eventually, another character in the movie, challenges him by saying: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." Such is the book, First Things First, but the word here is "paradigm." This is not an easy book to read; in fact, it could possibly induce a mild coma in the careless reader. At the least, it should come with a warning about operating heavy machinery afterwards. The difficult style is a result of having three authors. There are places in the book which begin "Stephen:" or "Roger:" or "Rebecca:" Other sections of the book bear no such introduction, insinuating the three are speaking in chorus; and then, there are passages which appear to have been authored by various acquaintances of theirs. This disorienting method of writing severely detracts from the already fragile quality of information in the book. If you are writing a book and need two people to help you write it, you need to either change subjects or find a different partner. The book is not completely lacking value though. Chapters, Four through Eight, offer a decent time management system for those individuals who need to start somewhere; and Appendix A is an excellent resource for drafting a personal mission statement. Otherwise, the core information is hopelessly out of date by twenty-five years. The authors might be shocked to learn some of us are already using "sixth-generation paradigms" and are looking for something better. Really! Besides, if you are busy counting paradigms, you do not need to read a time management book much less write one.
Rating:
Summary: Can you say ¿paradigm¿¿fifty zillion times!
Review: When I read this book, the movie, Princess Bride, came to mind. In it, Vizzini, one of the characters in that movie, uses the word "inconceivable" repeatedly. Eventually, another character in the movie, challenges him by saying: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." Such is the book, First Things First, but the word here is "paradigm." This is not an easy book to read; in fact, it could possibly induce a mild coma in the careless reader. At the least, it should come with a warning about operating heavy machinery afterwards. The difficult style is a result of having three authors. There are places in the book which begin "Stephen:" or "Roger:" or "Rebecca:" Other sections of the book bear no such introduction, insinuating the three are speaking in chorus; and then, there are passages which appear to have been authored by various acquaintances of theirs. This disorienting method of writing severely detracts from the already fragile quality of information in the book. If you are writing a book and need two people to help you write it, you need to either change subjects or find a different partner. The book is not completely lacking value though. Chapters, Four through Eight, offer a decent time management system for those individuals who need to start somewhere; and Appendix A is an excellent resource for drafting a personal mission statement. Otherwise, the core information is hopelessly out of date by twenty-five years. The authors might be shocked to learn some of us are already using "sixth-generation paradigms" and are looking for something better. Really! Besides, if you are busy counting paradigms, you do not need to read a time management book much less write one.
Rating:
Summary: If you've read '7 Habits' you don't need to read this
Review: While the information in this book is still relevant and helpful, it's basically a rehash of much of the information covered in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Some of the ideas about mission statements and priorites are discussed more thoroughly and there is more specific information on time management like handling the "big rocks" in your week, but overall it seemed like a review. If you haven't read '7 Habits,' then it's a very useful approach to time management and setting the priorities in you life.
Rating:
Summary: Covey's Best Work
Review: With due respect to Roger and Rebecca, who are unsung heroes in the Covey pantheon, this book is probably the most helpful of Covey's works with regards to clarity and transferance into application.
I loved the 7 Habits but wasn't sure where to start. This book helped - the mission statement workshop, the six step process, Win/Win Agreements. Truly transformational.
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