"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People".
Covey, the author of this book, began studying something called the Pylamon Effect, which studies expectancy theory and self-fulfilling prophecies. He read books as far back as 200 years and realized that as far as history goes, there is a pattern of humans solving their smaller problems, yet leaving the large problems to fester. The "Character Ethic" shows the principles needed by people to live life and be successful and happy. World War 1 changed the character ethic into the Personality ethic, which dealt with positive mental attitude. This allowed people to view the world and their surroundings differently and make themselves happy. .
He explains greatness, of which he found two kinds, primary and secondary. Primary is more of a long-term attitude, while secondary is short term.
He defines a paradigm as an explanation of something else, and a paradigm shift as when someone views something differently then they would have before, kind of like an epiphany.
Covey states that people are not able to change their bad habits immediately, that people only move forward in life step by step, not drastically.
The Seven Habits.
1. Be Proactive .
Realize that your problems are your problems, and not blame others. Take action to make right what will help you. It is much better to be a proactive person and take action rather than a reactive person who merely flows and reacts with what the environment throws at him. How a person responds to the experiences in their life is often more important than the experience itself. .
Covey also talks about the Circle of Concern and the Circle of Influence within the Circle of Concern. The Circle of Concern is the things in life that concern us and the circle of influence within the circle of concern is the things we have control over.
2. Begin with the end in mind .
Look at each day with the idea of your future, and your goals in your life first in your mind.