7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Principles

Key Points: Character Ethic

To first understand how to change the situation you first must figure out what your perception is. It is interesting how our perceptions are formed, how they govern the way we see, and how the way we see governs how we behave. We must look at the lens through which we see the world, as well as at the world we see, and that the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world.
When analyzing the past 200 years of literature on success, popular psychology, and self-help, there was a realization that the past 50 years were superficial. The first 150 years all had the same pattern distinguished as the Character Ethic, as the foundation of success. The Character Ethic are things like integrity, humility, courage, temperance, and patience to name a few. There are basic principles that go into effective living that people can exercise true success and enduring happiness as they integrate these habits into their daily character.

After World War 1, the view of success shifted to what is called the Personality Ethic. Success became more a function of personality, the things it included were public image, attitudes and behaviors, skills and techniques that can influence human interaction. This technique took two paths: one was human and public relations techniques, the other was a positive mental attitude.
This Personality Ethic is more focused on the being liked, such as a popular adage, "Your attitude affects your altitude." As well as, "Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe it can achieve."

Biggest Takeaway:

We must change the lens of which we see the world to understand the world. Not only change the lens but look intently at the lens and determine whether your techniques and actions are contributing to how you solve a situation. Or whether it is your character that determines how you solve a situation.

Quotes:

Search your own heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life.

Part One of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Principles; More to come tomorrow :)