7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey

Based on his father’s bestselling The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Sean Covey applies the same principles to teens, using a vivacious, entertaining style. To keep it fun, Covey writes, he “stuffed it full of cartoons, clever ideas, great quotes, and incredible stories about real teens from all over the world… along with a few other surprises.” Did he ever! Flip open to any page and become instantly absorbed in real-life stories of teens who have overcome obstacles to succeed, and step-by-step guides to shifting paradigms, building equity in “relationship bank accounts,” creating action plans, and much more. As a self-acknowledged guinea pig for many of his dad’s theories, Sean Covey is a living example of someone who has taken each of the seven habits to heart: be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw. He includes a comical section titled “The 7 Habits of Highly Defective Teens,” which includes some, shall we say, counterproductive practices: put first things last; don’t cooperate; seek first to talk, then pretend to listen; wear yourself out… Covey’s humorous and up-front style is just light enough to be acceptable to wary teenagers, and down-and-dirty enough to really make a difference.

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My parents initially bought this book for me when I turned sixteen years old. It was actually one of my birthday presents! I kept putting off reading it because I honestly thought I didn’t need to read such a book. Now, two exact years later, one day after my eighteenth birthday, I finished the book. Let me just tell you, it’s a game changer. As a teen, I was always skeptical about adults writing “self-help” books for people my age. This book is entirely relatable, it’s funny, has great comics, and is a relatively easy read. It doesn’t make you feel heavy while reading this book, but it does make you think.

Before reading this book, I think, you really have to commit to yourself that you are willing to put into practice these 7 Habits. If you don’t put your mind to it, it won’t happen. If you want to be effective and be the best version of yourself you could possibly be, I totally recommend this book! There are lots of really great quotes, and I’ve laughed out loud multiple times. I kind of regret not reading it sooner, and I can’t wait to *force* my younger teen sisters to read this book. (In a good way, of course!)  My sixteen-year-old self would probably laugh at me for now saying, “I’m excited to read some more books by Sean Covey!”