The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

by Stephen R. Covey

how powerfully conditioning affects our perceptions, our paradigms.

We see the world, not as it is, but as we are—or, as we are conditioned to see it. When

they face a life-threatening crisis and suddenly see their priorities in a different light, or when they suddenly step into a new role, such as that of husband or wife, parent or grandparent, manager or leader.

But if we want to make significant, quantum change, we need to work on our basic paradigms.

Paradigms are powerful because they create the lens through which we see the world.

true effectiveness is a function of two things: what is produced (the golden eggs) and the producing asset or capacity to produce (the goose).

“I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,

We may be very busy, we may be very efficient, but we will also be truly effective only when we begin with the end in mind.

People can’t live with change if there’s not a changeless core inside them.

Principles are deep, fundamental truths, classic truths, generic common denominators. They are tightly interwoven threads running with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength through the fabric of life.

One of the main things his research showed was that almost all of the world-class athletes and other peak performers are visualizers. They see it; they feel it; they experience it before they actually do it. They begin with the end in mind.

imagination, conscience, independent will, and, particularly, self-awareness.

One of my favorite essays is “The Common Denominator of Success,” written by E. M. Gray.

the inability to prioritize; (2) the inability or desire to organize around those priorities; or (3) the lack of discipline to execute around them, to stay with your priorities and organization?

Point out the potential failure paths, what not to do, but don’t tell them what to do.