Summary of "The seven Habits of extraordinarily Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change" The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was written on Covey's belief that the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions. He introduces the "Inside-Out" paradigm approach. According to Covey, in order to change any given situation, we must change ourselves first: the inside part of ourselves - our paradigms (or perceptions, frame of references, interpretations, etc.), character, and motives. He further explained that to change ourselves, we must first change our perceptions, leading to significant change. Covey believed that our perception dictates how we see the world; therefore, we create any situation that we find ourselves in. Based on this idea, we create any unhappy state; whether it be a stagnant life, an unhappy marriage, etc. In changing our perceptions, we change ourselves and ultimately change our situation. His teachings are based on a series of positive "Habits", leading to progression and quantum change. This change involves living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. Covey went a bit further. Not only did he clearly explain this concept, he also provided a clear, step-by-step pathway to self-discovery, achieving desired changes, and success and happiness with one's self, others, and the community. According to Covey, "Paradigms" are powerful as a result of they produce the lens through that we have a tendency to see the globe. If you would like tiny changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you would like huge and first changes, work on your paradigm. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change is divided into four parts: Part (1) Paradigms and Principles: Here, Covey discusses our perceptions and guidelines and their effects. This is the underlying basis of his teachings; Part (2) Private Victory: Here, he discusses habits 1, 2, and 3 and how they relate to self-mastery; Part (3) Public Victory: Here, he discusses habits 4, 5, and 6. the focus here is on interdependence; Part (4) Renewal: Here, he discusses habit 7. The focus here is sharpening the saw. It is about self-renewal and self-care. This is important, but not urgent. The seven habits paradigm is the Inside-Out approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness. The first three habits Covey discusses focus on self-mastery. That is, achieving private victories to move from dependence to independence: (1) Be Proactive, (2) Begin with the End in Mind, and (3) Put First Things First. The next three habits (4,5, and 6) focus on interdependence: (4) Think Win/Win, (5) Look for 1st to know, Then to Be Understood, and (6) Synergy. The final and last habit (7) focuses on renewal and continual improvement. (7) Renewal The author explains how the seven habits paradigm informs the three areas of development, or the maturity continuum (Dependence, Independence, and Interdependence): (1) Dependence - Be Proactive and Begin with the End in Mind, leading to Private Victory - Foundation for Interdependence and Public Victory; (2) Independence - Put First Things First, leading to Public Victory - Interdependence; and (3) Interdependence - Seek First to Understand. Then to be understood - Synergized For more information click on the BUY BUTTON!!!