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The Divine Center -- Why We Need A Life Centered on God and Christ and How We Attain It
A classic book available for the first time in paperback
All of us at some point search for an organizing principle in life, one that is simple without being simplistic, that offers enduring direction. The book introduces, explains, and illuminates such a principle - centering one's life on Christ. It examines twelve other "centers" and their effect on key dimensions of our lives: our security, guidance, wisdom, and power. Although those other perspectives offer some value, only the "divine center" meets all the tests. This powerful principle is given life by an inspiring presentation of "how-tos" -imaginative, thought-provoking explanations of the divine-centering process and steps necessary to achieve the goal.
305 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
135 people are currently reading
1331 people want to read
About the author
Stephen R. Covey
646 books6,320 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Stephen Richards Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and speaker. His most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people. He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University (USU) at the time of his death.
Stephen Richards Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and speaker. His most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people. He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University (USU) at the time of his death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
June 21, 2009
While I struggle sometimes with the motivation to pick this book up, when I do, I am always enlightened and well-taught by the author.
It is never enough for me to hear, "Just read your scriptures, say your prayers, go to the temple, and don't forget to simplify!" For me, those phrases offer no motivation for my (pathetic, hard, small, little) soul to do and live and be better. This work eliminates those types of directives as it guides you to developing better relationships with our Savior and Heavenly Father - and it illustrates beautifully the problem of allowing anything else to become the center of your life and purpose.
It is never enough for me to hear, "Just read your scriptures, say your prayers, go to the temple, and don't forget to simplify!" For me, those phrases offer no motivation for my (pathetic, hard, small, little) soul to do and live and be better. This work eliminates those types of directives as it guides you to developing better relationships with our Savior and Heavenly Father - and it illustrates beautifully the problem of allowing anything else to become the center of your life and purpose.
April 15, 2019
Thought provoking
November 26, 2017
An amazing book!
I felt the book was scriptural well founded. After reading the book I immediately feel the need to re-read it, perhaps on a yearly basis. I also feel as if I read it to read it and wasted my time as I didn't not read it to DO it, thus the need to re-read it.
Please consider doing it as you are reading it.
I felt the book was scriptural well founded. After reading the book I immediately feel the need to re-read it, perhaps on a yearly basis. I also feel as if I read it to read it and wasted my time as I didn't not read it to DO it, thus the need to re-read it.
Please consider doing it as you are reading it.
Read
January 19, 2020'There are two seas in Palestine. One fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters.
Along its shores the children play, as children played when He was there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables. And on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people.
The river Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine. And men build their houses near to it, and birds their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there.
The river Jordan flows on south into another sea.
Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children's laughter. Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.
What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas? Not the river Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie; not in the country round about.
This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.
The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps.
The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead.
There are two kinds of people in the world. There are two seas in Palestine.'
'... mental-emotional defenses take many forms, including (1) categorizing and prejudging people, places, and ideas, so as to be protected from the new and unexpected (prejudice); (2) expecting nothing, so as to not be disappointed (hopelessness); (3) believing nothing, so as to not be responsible (cynicism); (4) communicating in sarcasm and cutting humor, so as not to be emotionally exposed and vulnerable (lightminded, guileful); (5) waiting on others to love us first, and even then inpugning the motive of one taking such initiative (doubting, fearing). On the other hand, a genuine testimony provides it's own armor, making such defenses unnecessary. '
'Divinely centered people... are not naive; they are aware of weaknesses and evil. But they realize that behavior and potential are two different things. Since they believe in the unseen Christ, they also believe in the unseen Christlike potential of all our Heavenly Father's children. '
'... when a person is untrue to the truth within, he loses the essence of his life.'
'When the Lord comes first in our minds, proper behavior will follow. When our own pleasures and will come first, the same proper behavior is awkward and disagreeable and is easily rationalized away.'
'People will come to know the truth to the degree that they are true to the truth. To find truth, we must set out to be true.'
'When people become aware of their own eternal identity, ... of their godly potential, and of their agency or power to choose their response to any set of circumstances, a vital something is unlocked and released. ... Such a self-view energizes hope and courage in contrast to the fear and insecurity of self-doubting which naturally flow from a social or cultural self-definition.'
'When we are anchored and invulnerable down deep, we can be open and vulnerable on the surface of our lives...'
'If we truly receive the Lord we draw our ego strength from our relationship with Him and from His definition and lofty estimation of us rather than from other people's treatment and fickle opinions of us.'
'We exhibit the highest form of divine influence when we exemplify divine attitudes and attributes in the worst kind of situations and predicaments.'
'... when you consistently return kindness
for unkindness, patience in the face of impatience, good for evil, you release the still, small voice inside of the other person to advocate your case, and it will appeal to whatever good there is in that person. ... one of the main factors, perhaps the major one, influencing whether he will listen to the voice or ignore it will be your own behavior and attitude. '
'... our reactions are a product of our perceptions, and our perceptions are a result of what is the center of our life.'
'... unconditional love manifested cannot fail to have an effect on the receiver...'
'It is only in orienting his life to the divine center that a person can secure anything else he desires and yet not be based upon it.'
'... true love is found in the affirmation of another person's identity and stewardship, in seeking his or her growth and good, not on interpreting all the other person's responses in terms of one's own needs, hungers, or desires.'
'Trust is a powerful tool for lifting and building. The more a person is God/Christ- centered, the more he can give trust clearly... This is possible because he is anchored to the unconditional source of love and security. '
'A good barometer of a person's center or source of security, then, is a close examination as to what causes him to feel offended or deeply disappointed or controlled or manipulated. Any center outside of God can lead a person into suffering innumerable offenses and disappointments and thereby cause his attitude to crystalize into cynicism and skepticism.'
'[Jesus Christ's] love and that of our Father
in Heaven comes freely, without request, and unconditionally to all... and even though most of them never receive that which is given, it is nevertheless given ceaselessly and in a thousand different ways.'
'... there is a very clear and distinct difference between being active in the Church and being active in the gospel.'
'I am convinced that in the long run no one can hurt another without the other's consent... This is because we always have the power to choose a response to what someone else does to us.'
'... normally each person sees himself and the world through the lens of his past experiences. These glasses, his frame of reference, become the center through which he sees and interprets and explains everything else.'
'Believing is seeing. Believing in the Creator... as one who has complete integrity, power, and love opens up to us the most accurate map... enabling us to see and understand... better. '
Along its shores the children play, as children played when He was there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables. And on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people.
The river Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine. And men build their houses near to it, and birds their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there.
The river Jordan flows on south into another sea.
Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children's laughter. Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.
What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas? Not the river Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie; not in the country round about.
This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.
The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps.
The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead.
There are two kinds of people in the world. There are two seas in Palestine.'
'... mental-emotional defenses take many forms, including (1) categorizing and prejudging people, places, and ideas, so as to be protected from the new and unexpected (prejudice); (2) expecting nothing, so as to not be disappointed (hopelessness); (3) believing nothing, so as to not be responsible (cynicism); (4) communicating in sarcasm and cutting humor, so as not to be emotionally exposed and vulnerable (lightminded, guileful); (5) waiting on others to love us first, and even then inpugning the motive of one taking such initiative (doubting, fearing). On the other hand, a genuine testimony provides it's own armor, making such defenses unnecessary. '
'Divinely centered people... are not naive; they are aware of weaknesses and evil. But they realize that behavior and potential are two different things. Since they believe in the unseen Christ, they also believe in the unseen Christlike potential of all our Heavenly Father's children. '
'... when a person is untrue to the truth within, he loses the essence of his life.'
'When the Lord comes first in our minds, proper behavior will follow. When our own pleasures and will come first, the same proper behavior is awkward and disagreeable and is easily rationalized away.'
'People will come to know the truth to the degree that they are true to the truth. To find truth, we must set out to be true.'
'When people become aware of their own eternal identity, ... of their godly potential, and of their agency or power to choose their response to any set of circumstances, a vital something is unlocked and released. ... Such a self-view energizes hope and courage in contrast to the fear and insecurity of self-doubting which naturally flow from a social or cultural self-definition.'
'When we are anchored and invulnerable down deep, we can be open and vulnerable on the surface of our lives...'
'If we truly receive the Lord we draw our ego strength from our relationship with Him and from His definition and lofty estimation of us rather than from other people's treatment and fickle opinions of us.'
'We exhibit the highest form of divine influence when we exemplify divine attitudes and attributes in the worst kind of situations and predicaments.'
'... when you consistently return kindness
for unkindness, patience in the face of impatience, good for evil, you release the still, small voice inside of the other person to advocate your case, and it will appeal to whatever good there is in that person. ... one of the main factors, perhaps the major one, influencing whether he will listen to the voice or ignore it will be your own behavior and attitude. '
'... our reactions are a product of our perceptions, and our perceptions are a result of what is the center of our life.'
'... unconditional love manifested cannot fail to have an effect on the receiver...'
'It is only in orienting his life to the divine center that a person can secure anything else he desires and yet not be based upon it.'
'... true love is found in the affirmation of another person's identity and stewardship, in seeking his or her growth and good, not on interpreting all the other person's responses in terms of one's own needs, hungers, or desires.'
'Trust is a powerful tool for lifting and building. The more a person is God/Christ- centered, the more he can give trust clearly... This is possible because he is anchored to the unconditional source of love and security. '
'A good barometer of a person's center or source of security, then, is a close examination as to what causes him to feel offended or deeply disappointed or controlled or manipulated. Any center outside of God can lead a person into suffering innumerable offenses and disappointments and thereby cause his attitude to crystalize into cynicism and skepticism.'
'[Jesus Christ's] love and that of our Father
in Heaven comes freely, without request, and unconditionally to all... and even though most of them never receive that which is given, it is nevertheless given ceaselessly and in a thousand different ways.'
'... there is a very clear and distinct difference between being active in the Church and being active in the gospel.'
'I am convinced that in the long run no one can hurt another without the other's consent... This is because we always have the power to choose a response to what someone else does to us.'
'... normally each person sees himself and the world through the lens of his past experiences. These glasses, his frame of reference, become the center through which he sees and interprets and explains everything else.'
'Believing is seeing. Believing in the Creator... as one who has complete integrity, power, and love opens up to us the most accurate map... enabling us to see and understand... better. '
March 9, 2021
I was in search of soul food when I tentatively pulled this off my list. I find Covey's books a bit different from the other business books because he uses himself as a bad example, which is rare. He also suggests things, in my faulty memory, that can be applied by anyone, no matter their position in whatever company. So when a person I follow recommended this book, I thought I'd try it out(I'd already tried and read the other books she had on the list so she passed my requirements).
I loved it. Like C Terry Warner's book, The Bonds That Make Us Free, it is interested in seeing things as they are: motivations, emotions, needs, etc. Understanding these, he argues, is crucial to understanding ourselves and others and will make for more effective conversations and changes.
I was simultaneously encouraged and inspired. It was the right book at the right time and made me feel much less alone and much more seen.
I did, however, wish that it had been reformatted. We're capable of a lot more now.
I loved it. Like C Terry Warner's book, The Bonds That Make Us Free, it is interested in seeing things as they are: motivations, emotions, needs, etc. Understanding these, he argues, is crucial to understanding ourselves and others and will make for more effective conversations and changes.
I was simultaneously encouraged and inspired. It was the right book at the right time and made me feel much less alone and much more seen.
I did, however, wish that it had been reformatted. We're capable of a lot more now.
August 13, 2019
This book is absolutely fantastic. It changed my perspective on so many different things and answered questions I’ve always wanted to know. Steven Covey has a way of showing you in great analogies the mind of God and the right way to center our lives on Christ and how we can do that in every way! I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who are struggling with how to center their lives on Christ- or how to change their priorities to align with Gods! ❤️❤️👏👏👏
July 15, 2023
This book is about making God and Jesus Christ the central focus in your life. It was recommended to me by a friend in high school, a long time ago. There is a lot of good stuff in here, but I had a hard time connecting with it, so it took me forever to read. I switched to audio about half way through and that worked a lot better for me for this one.
March 13, 2020
This book was extremely eye opening, and quite frankly, changed my life. Covey knows how to explain principles in such a way that makes you realize you’d be silly to center your life on anything else but God and Jesus Christ. Not only does he tell and explain why we need to center our lives on Christ, but he shows us HOW to do that. And I think that’s why I love this book so much, because it gives you real actions that you will be so motivated to start doing, that will help you truly come unto Christ.
I would recommend reading this book slowly. Take time to think about the principles. There is so many great insights in this book that it might be overwhelming at first, so take it slow.
I’ll be reading this book on and off for the rest of my life I imagine!
I would recommend reading this book slowly. Take time to think about the principles. There is so many great insights in this book that it might be overwhelming at first, so take it slow.
I’ll be reading this book on and off for the rest of my life I imagine!
January 23, 2016
I probably read this the first time in the mid-eighties after going to BYU education week and hearing Covey lecture on these principles which he had yet to get published. That man is incredible in person and I have my copy of this book all marked with underlining and little topical bookmarks. I keep it handy as there are so many great references to how to balance our lives and center our values and life choices on our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. We often get side-tracked on other good things in life, thinking we are doing what is best, and not realizing that we could have a better life by seeking Divine guidance and living in accordance with that.
March 22, 2014
I read it for the first section about perceptions and the concept of 'organising principles' and world views, etc. which I found of interest.
As the saying goes 'perception is reality' ... at least for that person. The more we realise that and start to understand that we need to look beyond the surface to where the other person is coming from the better off we all will be. Not that that was what the book was about but it's part of what I took from it. The book itself was basically giving you the suggestion and recommendation of the author's worldview which he believes in.
As the saying goes 'perception is reality' ... at least for that person. The more we realise that and start to understand that we need to look beyond the surface to where the other person is coming from the better off we all will be. Not that that was what the book was about but it's part of what I took from it. The book itself was basically giving you the suggestion and recommendation of the author's worldview which he believes in.
March 6, 2018
Dad had us read this for a discussion piece at our family reunion. It was repetitive but I thoroughly skimmed through it and liked it. Great thoughts and I completely agree of the importance of centering on the right, eternal, things.
April 4, 2019
This book if full of truth; and it is not for the faint of heart.
“On the one hand, how easy and natural it is to both know and do appropriate things on the Sabbath when our minds are right! And on the other hand, how difficult and forced and unpleasant it is to do those same things when our minds have other priorities! This is so with any of the teachings and commandments and principles of the gospel. When the Lord comes first in our minds, proper behavior will follow. When our own pleasures and will come first, the same proper behavior is awkward and disagreeable and is easily rationalized away.
Again, the key is the priority in the mind. The behavior or works will inevitably follow. Intent or motive governs.
For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. (Moroni 7:5-9.)
What then is the role of self-control and self-discipline? This is the behavior that is required to change your mind and that will eventually lead to changed behavior in relation to various thoughts, words, or deeds in life. In other words, there are two kinds of behavior changes: behavior change that leads us to God/Christ-centeredness and behavior change that follows God/Christ-centeredness. To become God/Christ-centered—to develop the mind of Christ, the frame of reference, the map, the pair of glasses we have been speaking about—will call for some specific behavior changes: from routine prayer to meaningful prayer, from cursory scripture reading to concentrated, inspired study, for example. Then, as the mind or heart begins to change toward Christ, other behavior changes will be called for which will accelerate this process of change of mind and will demonstrate that it has in fact taken place”
This book is not for the faint of mind either. He goes through the different aspects in life that we can be focused on and how they each will affect our divine potential and our relationships with God and man. He shows how the divine center or Jesus Christ/God centered person is truly led and enabled to have peace of all types and strength in life. To those who truly want to improve and be wholly dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and have faith and love for Him and His Gospel and the Church, this book will verify the reality of what you are already feeling you need to accept and become.
If you want a quick fix, feel good and go back to behaviors that are not conducive to the Spirit of God, this book is not for you and will be overwhelming and possibly become a rock of offense.
See 2 Nephi 18:14
“On the one hand, how easy and natural it is to both know and do appropriate things on the Sabbath when our minds are right! And on the other hand, how difficult and forced and unpleasant it is to do those same things when our minds have other priorities! This is so with any of the teachings and commandments and principles of the gospel. When the Lord comes first in our minds, proper behavior will follow. When our own pleasures and will come first, the same proper behavior is awkward and disagreeable and is easily rationalized away.
Again, the key is the priority in the mind. The behavior or works will inevitably follow. Intent or motive governs.
For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. (Moroni 7:5-9.)
What then is the role of self-control and self-discipline? This is the behavior that is required to change your mind and that will eventually lead to changed behavior in relation to various thoughts, words, or deeds in life. In other words, there are two kinds of behavior changes: behavior change that leads us to God/Christ-centeredness and behavior change that follows God/Christ-centeredness. To become God/Christ-centered—to develop the mind of Christ, the frame of reference, the map, the pair of glasses we have been speaking about—will call for some specific behavior changes: from routine prayer to meaningful prayer, from cursory scripture reading to concentrated, inspired study, for example. Then, as the mind or heart begins to change toward Christ, other behavior changes will be called for which will accelerate this process of change of mind and will demonstrate that it has in fact taken place”
This book is not for the faint of mind either. He goes through the different aspects in life that we can be focused on and how they each will affect our divine potential and our relationships with God and man. He shows how the divine center or Jesus Christ/God centered person is truly led and enabled to have peace of all types and strength in life. To those who truly want to improve and be wholly dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and have faith and love for Him and His Gospel and the Church, this book will verify the reality of what you are already feeling you need to accept and become.
If you want a quick fix, feel good and go back to behaviors that are not conducive to the Spirit of God, this book is not for you and will be overwhelming and possibly become a rock of offense.
See 2 Nephi 18:14
January 27, 2025
This book is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** if Mark Manson actually knew what he should care about and what didn't matter. It felt a little slow, but I think it's because it's an expression of how I would view the Gospel, I think it is one of, if not the best, explanatory work on the point of everything that we do in the church. I think that if you are interested in understanding what it really means to be a mormon, you should read this book.
As I was reading it, two questions appeared to me: Do I believe in my divine potential? Am I aware of the divine potential in others? The book seems to argue that if we understand the correct center of our lives, we'll be able to weather the storms and lead a happy life. The Christ/Divine Centered life is the life that will lead us to happiness, even if it is an ideal that is unreachable and of which we only get glimpses and tastes.
My favorite quote:
"In my opinion, balanced people read the wholesome literature and magazines which the world produces and they keep up with current affairs and events. They are active socially, having many friends and a few confidants. They are active intellectually, having many interests. They read, watch, observe, and learn. Within the limits of age and health they are active physically, athletically. They have a lot of fun. They enjoy themselves. They have a healthy sense of humor, particularly laughing at themselves and not at others’ expense. You can sense they have a healthy regard for and honesty about themselves. They can feel their own worth, which is manifest by their courage and integrity and by the absence of a need to brag, to drop names, to borrow strength from possessions or credentials or titles or past achievements. They are open in their communication, simple, direct, nonmanipulative. They also have a sense of what is appropriate, and they would sooner err on the side of understatement than on the side of exaggeration." If that isn't the kind of life I'd like to live, then I don't know what is. I think the only way to tell if centering your life on the divine is the way to reach this is if you try, and if all you have to risk is a couple of months of reading and prayer, what do you have to lose?
As I was reading it, two questions appeared to me: Do I believe in my divine potential? Am I aware of the divine potential in others? The book seems to argue that if we understand the correct center of our lives, we'll be able to weather the storms and lead a happy life. The Christ/Divine Centered life is the life that will lead us to happiness, even if it is an ideal that is unreachable and of which we only get glimpses and tastes.
My favorite quote:
"In my opinion, balanced people read the wholesome literature and magazines which the world produces and they keep up with current affairs and events. They are active socially, having many friends and a few confidants. They are active intellectually, having many interests. They read, watch, observe, and learn. Within the limits of age and health they are active physically, athletically. They have a lot of fun. They enjoy themselves. They have a healthy sense of humor, particularly laughing at themselves and not at others’ expense. You can sense they have a healthy regard for and honesty about themselves. They can feel their own worth, which is manifest by their courage and integrity and by the absence of a need to brag, to drop names, to borrow strength from possessions or credentials or titles or past achievements. They are open in their communication, simple, direct, nonmanipulative. They also have a sense of what is appropriate, and they would sooner err on the side of understatement than on the side of exaggeration." If that isn't the kind of life I'd like to live, then I don't know what is. I think the only way to tell if centering your life on the divine is the way to reach this is if you try, and if all you have to risk is a couple of months of reading and prayer, what do you have to lose?
May 20, 2022
This book was great. The first part about all the different centers in life was a little redundant (maybe just because I’d heard all the concepts), but I really enjoyed the second half on how to be divinely centered. It felt like a big, insightful conference talk. Nothing that you were supposed to do was technically new(reading scriptures, serving others, trying to have the spirit, etc), but it talked about the methods of how things like scripture study and prayer can help you be a more Christ-like person. I need to reread the second half again because it was deep and I didn’t absorb it all. Inspiring!
February 18, 2020
I’m not sure why I haven’t read this book until now. I found the first four chapters very worthwhile. The commentary on parenting and being aligned in how we live and lead so as not to create resentment was a big eye opener to me. The next sections were helpful reminders in practices of discipleship, accountability, and self-management. It did elicit some new thoughts about repentance and growth that I appreciate. I definitely espouse the principles of this book as important and would definitely teach my kids the concepts. Know what our center is goes a long way!
June 17, 2020
I have read many of the author's books and so for me, the first half of the book felt like a repeat of the 7 habits of highly effective people.
The second half of the book when he begins talking about application and principles I found much more interesting and helpful. If you are already familiar with the author's material I would suggest starting the book in chapter 6, "The Centered Life".
Great read and I enjoyed seeing the author being able to fully express his faith views in full context.
The second half of the book when he begins talking about application and principles I found much more interesting and helpful. If you are already familiar with the author's material I would suggest starting the book in chapter 6, "The Centered Life".
Great read and I enjoyed seeing the author being able to fully express his faith views in full context.
May 31, 2019
The fundamental premise of Covey's book is simple: center your life on God and Jesus Christ. However, the true insight for me was in Covey's analysis and deconstruction of other good, but inadequate centers: namely, family and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While both are essential and magnificent parts of our life, they cannot become the center of our lives without leaving serious gaps in the totality and direction of our lives.
May 21, 2025
I received this book as part of a Christmas gift exchange....something someone had on their shelf that they didn't want anymore but couldn't just throw out. It appeared to be unread. It took me a while to get around to reading it, but I'm glad I did. It gave me a lot to think about. It felt like the author got a little deeper into why the things the church teaches matter.
December 28, 2017
Inspirational and motivational. Some of Dr. Covey's best thoughts on how to live like the Savior would want us to, putting him and the Father at the center of our lives. I will be re-reading this again.
June 23, 2019
Career centered, family centered, church centered, even gospel centered lives are inferior to Christ centered lives.
Winning little victories one after another gives confidence enables us to win the next bigger victory.
Winning little victories one after another gives confidence enables us to win the next bigger victory.
August 6, 2018
One of the best I have read in a while.
September 6, 2018
Good, practical reminders. I feel like the first two thirds of the book was spent on counter examples, and only the last third was truely actionable information.
January 22, 2019
Inspirational.
April 3, 2019
I would highly recommend this book. The concepts are needed today more than ever.
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March 22, 2020Wonderful and timeless book.
December 12, 2020
What a powerful book.
Reading and applying the principals taught there has helped
me improve many of my relationships and help with self-talk.
Reading and applying the principals taught there has helped
me improve many of my relationships and help with self-talk.
November 30, 2021
the best Stephen Covey book in my opinion!
March 1, 2022
Meh - kinda boring. Didn’t finish.
June 26, 2022
Excellent book. Highly recommended.
March 25, 2023
Inspiring and thoughtful.
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