![]() It was a Sunday morning, and the subway car was not crowded. Covey went through a radical paradigm shift during his commute on the New York subway. It is quite obvious that we need to monitor and become aware of what our own paradigms are because if we don’t, we'll only have ourselves to blame for failure. This is the only way in which we can change our worldviews and our subjective realities, and with them, our behaviors and character. S hifting our paradigms is essential if we want to make lasting changes because our paradigms are at the core of our character. Someone with a positive paradigm, on the other hand, might see it as an opportunity or an unexpected adventure. For example, a person who has a predominantly negative paradigm will perceive getting lost in an unknown city as a horrible experience and a frustrating waste of time. We filter everything through our own sets of paradigms. ![]() After all, we are never one hundred percent objective. Paradigms are the subjective ways in which we perceive life and the world around us. But what can you use when you are trying to navigate life, instead of a city with clear streets and addresses? The answer is paradigms. If you have ever been in a new city and tried to get from one place to another, you might have noticed that a map is an incredibly useful tool. So how can you improve your character? Read the next chapter to find out! The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Chapter #2: Align your worldviews with the basic principles of the universe. Mastering a few easy communication techniques that might make your partner like you more is simply not sufficient. If, for instance, you want to improve your marriage, you need to become a more understanding partner. So, if you are serious about making a change, then you need to start working on yourself from the inside out. This approach was actually more popular before 1920, and it is clearly distinguishable in the writings of steadfast men such as Benjamin Franklin. This method is referred to as the character ethic, and it focuses on things like integrity, courage, and the golden rule. Our true character will, sooner or later, shine through, so the change needs to go deeper. The second method that Covey describes in his book is much more effective as it involves working on our character – that is, making adjustments to our fundamental belief system and habits that form our view of the world. Unfortunately, real change doesn’t come easy, so this method rarely results in consistent and lasting personal growth. It also promises that by learning some simple techniques, we can solve most of our problems. If we take a closer look, we notice that this method allows us to avoid working on the essential character traits that are holding us back. The personality ethic method sounds like a solid path for improvement, but it is merely a shortcut. This method is referred to as the personality ethic and it gained a lot of popularity in the 1920s. For example, if you want to have healthier relationships with other people, you might want to start by studying body language and communication techniques. One way is by cultivating the skills that are necessary for achieving the desired behavior. Based on what he had read, he concluded that, more often than not, there are two major ways in which people can improve their lives. Covey immersed himself in some 200 years worth of literature on the topic of success, starting from 1776. When the book’s author embarked on his quest to gain a better understanding of the complex nature of success, he began by reading as much as he could on the topic. Covey’s advice! The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Chapter #1: If you want to see lasting change, start by adjusting your character, not just your behavior. ![]() ![]() So dive in and join the millions of people who have already benefited from Stephen R. How to start tasks with a clear goal in mind. ![]() Here are the key ideas that we will discuss in the following chapters: Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you will learn some of the most effective ways in which you can improve your professional and personal life. Even our characters are defined by our routines, that pull our behavior one way or another, like gravity. The things that we do are to a large extent dictated by our habits. It is a well-known fact that humans are creatures of habit. And the best way to achieve long-lasting personal change is by developing healthier habits. What matters is to become aware that you need to change yourself first. Would you like to become more effective in life? Maybe you’d like to be more successful at work? Or perhaps you’d like to be a more understanding and loving partner? It doesn’t matter what aspect of your life you are looking to improve. Covey’s 1989 book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? Pick up the main ideas in the book with our summary. Are you curious to learn more about Stephen R. ![]()
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