What’s the difference between
paradigms and principles? Which is
better to live by?
PARADIGM
The way you see
something,
your point of view,
frame of reference,
or belief.
Why are paradigms harmful to us?
-Sometimes our paradigms are way off the mark and we end up creating
limitations for ourselves and others.
-Paradigms can become self-fulfilling prophecies. If you think you’re good at
school, you will be good at school. If you think you do poorly at school, you will do
poorly.
Something to think about:
-Have you ever had a negative thought
about yourself?
-Have you ever judged someone before you
really got to know them?
What is a paradigm shift?
A paradigm shift is a way of looking at
something differently.
We are stepping “outside the box”.
When we make a paradigm shift we can
see, think, feel and behave differently.
Example:
• People used to think the Earth is flat.
• Sailors proved the Earth is round.
(a paradigm shift occurred)
Frank Koch wrote:
Two battleships assigned to the
training squadron had been at sea
on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days.
I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on
the bridge as night fell. Shortly after dark, the lookout on
the wing of the bridge reported, "Light, bearing on the
starboard bow."
"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.
Lookout replied, "Steady, captain," which meant we were
on a collision course.
The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that
ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change
course 20 degrees."
Back came the reply, "Advisable for you to change course
20 degrees."
The captain said, "Send, I'm a captain, change course 20
degrees."
"I am a seaman second class" came the reply. "You had
better change course 20 degrees."
By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out,
"Send, I'm a battleship. Change course
20 degrees."
Back came the reply, "I'm a lighthouse."
We changed course.
Steven Covey (in “The 7 habits of Highly Effective People”) tells that story to teach that
principles are “like lighthouses.” They are natural laws that cannot be broken.”
If we can’t depend on our paradigms,
then what can we depend on?
Principles
We are familiar with the effects of gravity. Throw a ball up and it comes down. It’s
a natural law or principle. Just as there are principles that rule the physical world,
there are principles that rule the human world. If you live by them, you will excel.
If you break them, you will fail. A principle-centered life is the most stable
foundation you can build on.
Common principles include:
-respect
-honesty
-love
-service
-hard work
-responsibility
-fairness
To show regard
or value for someone
or something.