Abstract:

The excerpted literature is a fraction of Part 2, Habit 2 of the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. It discusses about the particular sense and explanation or rationalization of the meaning of Habit 2. To lead the readers into better position of understanding and broader perception of what it means to “Begin with the end in mind”, the author establishes the clarity, definitions, and bases of common understanding between the reader and the author.

For an idea to be properly understood and digested by the readers, it is imperative for the author to provide a foundation of the facts, principles and definitions for the important matters being discussed about Habit 2 and its essence and significant connection to every contextual principle being considered and explained in the book.

The excerpt thus, elucidates the principles and bases on which habit 2 are based and founded upon. These explanations and bases help the readers to accurately understand the views and paradigms that the author is trying to convey to them. The extract explains that habit 2 is based on the principles of personal leadership and on the principle that “All things are created twice”, however, not all first creations are consciously designed by a person himself. The author illustrates that if we do not generate our self-awareness, we will always reactively live by the influence of other people, environment and pressures of circumstances. This influence was termed by the author as scripts handed to us in our early years. 

References:

[1.] American Psychological Association. (2010). Manuscript structure and content. In Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed., pp.21-38). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. (Education Library - Reference BF76.7 .A51 2010)

[2.] Bill Gordon: "A Closer Look at Stephen Covey and His 7 Habits" Apologetics Index. Retrieved December 23, 2007

[3.] Gandel, Stephen (August 9, 2011). Books”. Time. Retrieved January 4, 2011.

[4.] Harper, Lena M. (Summer 2012). "The Highly Effective Person". Marriott Alumni Magazine (Brigham Young University). Retrieved August 11, 2012. Covey, S. R. (1989). Organizing change: Upward Spiral. Free Press.

[5.] English, L (2004). "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Information Professionals, Part 7" (pdf). DM Review. September/October '04: 60–61. See for instance the chapter in Carolyn Simpson's High Performance through Negotiation.

[6.] Covey, S (2004). The Power of Character. Unlimited Publishing. p. 103.

[7.] Krayer, Karl J.; Lee, William Thomas (2003). Organizing change: an inclusive, systemic approach to maintain productivity and achieve results. San Diego: Pfeiffer. p. 238.