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Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

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Submitted By 92hksingh
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Based on a book by the same name Author: Stephen Covey Published 1989 Many ideas taken from the web

The success literature of the last half of the 20th century largely attributed success to personality traits, skills, techniques, maintaining a positive attitude, etc. This philosophy can be referred to as the Personality Ethic.

However, during the 150 years or so that preceded that period, the literature on success was character oriented. It emphasized the deeper principles and foundations of success. This philosophy is known as the Character Ethic, under which success is attributed more to such characteristics as integrity, courage, justice, patience, etc

Personality Ethic are secondary. • Secondary traits may help one to play the game to succeed in specific circumstances • Long term success requires both • Ralph Waldo Emerson: "What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say."


Absolute principles that exist in all human beings. Examples of such principles are fairness, honesty, integrity, human dignity, quality, potential, and growth. Principles contrast with practices that are for specific situations whereas principles have universal application.

Dependence: the paradigm under which we are born, relying upon others to take care of us. • Independence: the paradigm under which we make our decisions and take care of ourselves. • Interdependence: the paradigm under which we cooperate to achieve something that cannot be achieved independently.


Habit 1: Be Proactive Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind Habit 3: Put First Things First

• •





The term "proactive" as coined by Victor Frankl. You can either be proactive or reactive when it comes to how you respond to things. When you are reactive, you blame other people and circumstances for obstacles or problems. Being proactive means taking responsibility for

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