Categories
Uncategorized

Ultimate prize and the 8th Habit

I think Arun Abey’s Ultimate Prize is a similar idea to Stephen Covey’s 8th habit from effectiveness to greatness.

My first thought was that the Ultimate Prize was similar to habit 6 ‘to Synergise’, however Habit 6 is still focused on the individual even though its in the public sphere not the private sphere.  Habit 6 is simply that two heads are better than one or co-operation and collaboration will always yield more than individual effort, the 1 + 1 = 3 or more analogy.

From Covey’s 8th habit we must reach beyond effectiveness toward fulfilment, contribution, and greatness. The title of his book is The 8th Habit®: From Effectiveness to Greatness.

The ultimate prize is so much simpler to read and understand – “to move from a life that is successful to you, to one that is meaningful to others”

If the ultimate prize was interpreted as “I’ve made my money, now what can I do for you”. It would seem to be underpinned by selfishness.  So everyone behaves selfishly until they have what they want, you can’t say that is an unreasonable statement or you can’t say that is an illogical statement.  It just doesn’t sound as noble as the intent of the ultimate prize.  It is not unlike how countries operate now, with the so called third world not having resources and doing what they can to get develop including polluting, abusing human rights and supporting dictators – not unlike the actions of the west or developing countries during their own development a hundred or so years earlier.

So human behaviour is mapped towards selfishness and does altruism (concern for the welfare of others or living for the benefit others including self sacrifice if necessary) really exist?  Capitalism would argue its foolish to help others when your own needs are not met and to behave selfishly is the most reasonable thing you can do.

 

 

 

Leave a Reply