Stephen Covey then mentions Viktor Frankl, an imprisoned Jewish psychiatrist in the death camps of Nazi Germany. With self-awareness, we evaluate if our paradigms are congruent with fundamental principles of efficiency. Self-awareness allows us to observe and distance ourselves. Humans can make the difference: what he sees in the mirror is his own reflection, not another entity. This power can help you break a negative habit.Ī dog looking at itself in the mirror would think that his reflection is another dog. Self-awareness gives humans enormous power over nature. What separates us from animals and plants? It’s self-awareness. In the end, our habits create our character. To change our lives, we should create positive habits and break free from negative ones. ![]() When compounded overtime, habits help us or destroy us. “Sow a thought, reap an action then sow an action, reap a habit and sow a habit, reap a character sow a character, reap a destiny,” Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle While perceptions are subjective, principles are universal and inviolable. Covey suggests that we align our paradigms with universal principles. For us to change, we can choose to shift our paradigms and alter our perceptions.ĭr. To reach our destination, it’s better to adjust our map with reality. Not only will you get lost but you will never reach your destination. Imagine that you were given the wrong map but you have to travel around China. If our perception of reality is tainted, it will negatively impact our thoughts, emotions and actions. Social conditioning has shaped our perceptions and instilled paradigms that guide our daily lives. If you read both Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography and Think and grow rich by Napoleon Hill’s, you will see that the two books have two different approaches to success: the first focuses more on character and habits while Hill’s focus was on techniques (but it’s still an incredible book and a must-read). If superficial techniques bring only short-lived solutions, the author highlights that real change takes time and we must follow a natural process of growth. He observed that around 65% of the literature from 1776 to 1926 focused on character development: integrity, modesty, patience, courage and humility etc. Stephen Covey proposes another approach, “the character ethics”. The practices mostly focused on quick fixes.Įven if these Band-Aid techniques are effective, they play a secondary role in achieving success. These methods focused on manipulation, influence and personal image. The last part is about the necessary permanent renewal or “sharpen the saw”.įor the last 50 years, most of the literature on success promoted what we call the “personality ethics”. The third part, composed of habit 4, 5 and 6 develops the keys for public victory: how to deal effectively with others? The second part “Private victory” lays the foundation for character development and present important concepts like proactivity, priorities and independence. The first part introduces different notions such as paradigms, principles and personal effectiveness. The 7 habits of highly effective people explained The 7 habits deal mainly with our character and not our personality. We can apply them to all areas of our lives. The book explains that the 7 habits are universal and timeless. After all, who hasn’t dreamt about real change?įor us to change, we need to understand our drives: values, paradigms and frames of reference. Long-lasting transformation requires practices. It doesn’t offer a get-rich-quick scheme or any other instant gratification method. The book offers a progressive methodology to succeed in life: private victory in the first part and public victory in the second part.ĭr Covey makes it clear his solution is a long but a real process of change. Let’s discover together why it is such a reference in personal development, productivity and effective communication. The 7 habits of highly effective people inspired millions around the world and can also help you change your life. The book has been translated into more than forty languages and sold for over 30 million copies. It is one of the best self-help masterpieces ever written in decades. Long story short, almost a decade later, I can ultimately say that it is indeed a life-changing book. Honestly speaking, I was skeptical whether it would really change my life or not. ![]() It was in 2013 that I first read Stephen Covey’s book: “The 7 habits of highly effective people”. The 7 habits of highly effective people summary
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