Introduction
The book is a nonfiction divided into four parts; paradigms and principles, private victory, public victory and renewal. It uses relatable illustrations to make points clear. It also borrows from philosophical thoughts and great minds to buttress its messages.
*****
Here, the author discusses personality ethic and character ethic. The character ethic is what is recommended to live by. It is based on enduring principles, and is also the ability of an individual to integrate certain principles into his inherent nature. It is the individual working on himself from inside out.
The personality ethic is likened to a Band-Aid which treats symptoms and not causes. It entails such manipulative and deceptive habits.
“Smiling wins more friends than frowning”, “Your attitude determines your altitude” …are some sayings which stemmed out of the
personality ethics. It is the individual working on his techniques.
The author suggests that elements of the personality ethics—
personal growth, communication skills training, positive thinking are essential for success but they are secondary traits.
“What we are communicates far more eloquently than anything
we say or do.”
Power of a Paradigm
A paradigm is basically a map through which we see the world. In our heads, each person has a map of the way things are and the way they should be, or values. ‘We see the world not as it is, but as we are or as we are conditioned to see it. When we open our mouths to describe what we see, we describe ourselves, perceptions and paradigms.’
Power of a Paradigm Shift
The author calls it the aha! Experience when someone finally sees the composite picture in another way. Not all paradigm shifts are
positive. Paradigms correct or incorrect are the sources of our attitudes and behaviours, and lastly our relationship with others.
Paradigms are inseparable from character, being is seeing in the human dimension.
The Principle-centred Paradigm
Principles are likened to lighthouses and natural laws that cannot be broken. The principles mentioned are said to be common to all
religious, social and philosophical systems.
FAIRNESS, INTEGRITY AND HONESTY, SERVICE, QUALITY OR
EXCELLENCE, POTENTIAL, NURTURANCE AND
ENCOURAGEMENT.
Principles are not practices nor values. Principles are the territory, values are the map. There is an innate awareness of their existence.
Principles are guidelines for human conduct which have enduring value.
The author further discusses the principles of growth and change, the way we see the problem is the problem, a new way of thinking.
********†************†*****
Pls vote and comment, thanks.
YOU ARE READING
7 Habits of Highly Effective People- A SUMMARY
Non-FictionThis is a summary of the renowned book by Stephen R. Covey. I was prompted to write it by my friend who asked for a summary. It contains the most important points of course. I decided to share, I hope you like it.
