Habits of Highly Effective Families

¶ … Habits of Highly Effective Families

It is a well-known fact that today; no family is free from everyday challenges. It therefore follows that there is an existing need for families to have a framework that applies self-evident and universal principles designed to enable members of the family to not only share their problems freely but to also resolve such problems amicably. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, by Steven R. Covey is a timeless classic that seeks to offer precious lessons to families navigating these turbulent times.

This time round, Covey, with the same wisdom, precision and practicability that guided his international bestseller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, trains his sights on one of society's main concern today- the family. By highlighting the well formulated seven habits, Covey is able to demonstrate that it is possible for families to have a creative mind-set that is well suited to approach challenges from a different angle. It can be noted that the habits Covey presents in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families are essentially re-interpreted from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. However, in this case, Covey seeks to make these habits applicable to both family-life and parenting issues. In his submission, Covey is of the opinion that each family should have a mission statement. Further, he goes ahead to suggest that to effectively deal with every day challenges affecting the family, regular meetings between family members should be encouraged. But his most important proposal remains that individual family members should discard the "me" mentality and instead embrace the more inclusive "we" mentality. This in my own opinion remains one of the best ways of unifying a family in a way that promotes not only togetherness but also effectiveness.

One of the key themes of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families remains building a beautiful or wonderful family culture. To further highlight this theme, Covey uses an airplane metaphor where he argues that for any family experiencing major setbacks, problems or even difficulties; the key to recovering its bearing remains finding a "destination, a flight plan, and a compass" (Covey 10). Covey notes that in a way, for a family that is experiencing significant challenges, the idea of building a beautiful family culture can seem to be quite remote. To drive the point home, Covey has in mind a family that is economically constrained and which has members who "just pass one another like ships in the night" (Covey 11). However, according to the author, regardless of what a given family is going through, it is still possible for it to build a beautiful or wonderful family culture.

The Basic Concepts Highlighted in the Book

In one way or the other, the message Covey seeks to pass on in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families in not new in its entirety. However, though some of the concepts discussed in this book have been discussed in other forums, Covey's approach to the same remains sincere, simple and practical. From the onset, Covey points out that every family has its own unique challenges. He cautions that what works for one family may not necessarily work for another as in most cases, what is seen "on the surface is usually only the tip of the iceberg" (Covey 12). Hence with such a refreshing, honest and realistic approach to this topic, Covey's book remains an interesting read for any reader from the conservative housewife to a career-driven professional.

It can be noted that in a way, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families follows from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People as far as chapter buildup is concerned. In this case, each chapter highlights the significance of each habit. Below, I briefly highlight each of the seven 'habits' which are amongst the basic concepts the book concerns itself with.

The first habit Covey talks about in this case is being proactive. This habit underscores the importance of acting on the basis of principles as opposed to circumstance or emotion. Indeed, based on its insistence on the ability of individuals to make choices, this first habit is seen as the foundation of the other habits. The second habit the author highlights in the text is the need to begin with a clear end in mind. In this case, Covey is of the opinion that each family should have a clear vision of what it is all about. To achieve this, the author recommends the formulation of a family mission statement. Here, the family first needs to determine where it wants to be in say five years and then based on this; principles to help it get there can be easily identified.

The third habit identified by the author concerns itself with putting first things first. Essentially, the habit does not only help the reader identify the "first things" in a familial setting but it also helps such a reader to have the commitment and discipline necessary for the accomplishment of the same. Fourth, we have habit number four which the author dubs "win-win." At this point, it should be noted that in a way, the three habits including habit 4, 5 and 6 are intertwined. Considered the root in this case, habit four essentially concerns itself with the search for mutual benefit. It is this mutual benefit that natures synergy and understanding.