Quotes
«The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.»
«Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.»
«Seek to understand, then to be understood.»
«Interdependence is a higher value than independence.»
«The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.»
Criticism
While widely acclaimed, the book has received some criticism:
Oversimplification: Critics argue that the habits are presented as a formulaic solution to complex personal challenges.
Idealistic: Some find the principles overly optimistic and difficult to implement in real-world situations.
Repetitiveness: The book’s emphasis on the seven habits can lead to redundancy and a lack of depth in discussing each one.
Influence
Despite the criticism, «The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People» has had a significant impact:
It has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
It has been translated into over 40 languages.
It has been used as a training and leadership development tool in organizations and educational institutions.
Interesting Facts
The book was originally titled «The 7 Habits of 10% of the People Who Get Results.»
Covey’s inspiration for the book came from his studies of successful individuals in various fields.
The book has been listed on Fortune’s 100 Best Business Books of All Time.
WORDLIST:
personal and professional effectiveness – личная и профессиональная эффективность
take responsibility – брать на себя ответственность
establish clear goals – ставить четкие цели
align – согласовывать
importance and urgency – важность и срочность
the most impactful activities – наиболее важные действия
seek – искать
mutually beneficial solutions – взаимовыгодные решения
groundbreaking solutions – новаторские решения
sharpen the saw – оттачивать пилу
enhance your abilities – повышать свои способности
sow, reap – посей, пожнёшь
oversimplification – чрезмерное упрощение
formulaic solution – шаблонное решение
overly optimistic – чрезмерно оптимистичный
difficult to implement – трудно реализуемый
repetitiveness – повторяемость
redundancy – избыточность
lack of depth – недостаток глубины
despite the criticism – несмотря на критику
training and leadership development tool – инструмент для обучения и развития лидерских качеств
Exercise 4
Are these statements TRUE or FALSE?
1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a self-help book.
2. The book outlines eight habits for personal and professional effectiveness.
3. The first habit is «Be Proactive.»
4. The book recommends prioritizing tasks based on urgency alone.
5. The fourth habit is «Think Win-Win.»
6. The book suggests that it is more important to be understood than to understand others.
7. The seventh habit is «Sharpen the Saw.»
8. The book has sold less than 10 million copies worldwide.
9. The book has been translated into over 40 languages.
10. The book has had no significant impact on the business world.
UNIT 4
The Ego and the Id by Sigmund Freud (1923)
Key Ideas:
1. The Three-Part Model of the Psyche:
Freud proposed that the human psyche is divided into three distinct structures:
Id: The Id is the primal, instinctual part of the personality. It is driven by the pleasure principle, seeking instant gratification of basic needs and desires. The Id operates on the primary process, which is illogical and irrational.
Ego: The Ego is the mediator between the Id and the external world. It balances the demands of the Id with the constraints of reality and the moral code. The Ego operates on the secondary process, which is logical and rational.
Superego: The Superego is the moral conscience, internalizing societal values and ethical principles. It strives for perfection and punishes the Ego for transgressions.
2. The Ego as Mediator:
Freud’s most significant contribution in this book is his detailed exploration of the Ego’s role as a mediator between the Id and Superego. The Ego constantly juggles the demands of the Id’s pleasure-seeking impulses with the Superego’s moral code. It must find ways to satisfy the Id’s desires while also adhering to the Superego’s moral standards. This balancing act can lead to anxiety and conflict, as the Ego struggles to maintain equilibrium.
3. Defense Mechanisms:
When the Ego is unable to resolve the conflict between the Id and Superego, it employs defense mechanisms to protect itself from anxiety. These defense mechanisms are unconscious mental processes that distort or block threatening thoughts and feelings. Some common defense mechanisms include:
Repression: Unconsciously burying threatening thoughts and feelings.
Projection: Attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts and feelings to others.
Rationalization: Providing logical explanations for irrational behavior.
4. The Oedipus Complex:
Freud believed that the Oedipus complex plays a crucial role in the development of the Superego. The Oedipus complex is a boy’s unconscious desire to possess his mother and kill his father, who he sees as a rival for his mother’s affections. This complex is eventually resolved through identification with the father, leading to the formation of the Superego.
5. The Death Drive:
Freud also introduced