If you want to gain more control over your life and destiny and aren’t afraid of facing subjects that many people find unpalatable, like responsibility, integrity, long-term thinking, and self-mastery, then you need to read this book.

In this book, Covey takes you by the hand and says…

“Look, if you want to live a good life, you can’t be an irresponsible, self-absorbed, insolent, small-minded, unenlightened, judgmental, delusional little child.”

“You might be able to bullshit your friends, family, and even yourself, but you can’t bullshit the universe.”

“For whatever reason, there are some basic rules to this game of living and if you work with them, you can win. Flout them and you’ll lose.”

He then lays out…in way too many words…his ideas about what makes people effective and ineffective in life, and I wholeheartedly agree with many of his assessments.

There’s a reason why it’s on just about every “books you have to read list”–it’s full of powerful insights that, if internalized, can truly change your life.

I have to warn you though: you’re probably not going to like reading it, mainly because Covey isn’t much of a writer. It’s twice as long as it should be and a lot of the prose is purple, but it’s well worth the slog.

What did you think of this episode? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!