Appendix E

The following diagram depicts what Covey proposed in The Divine Center as possible centers around which we might focus our lives. The focus of his book, as the title would indicate, was the core of all of the options, and what he proposed to be the only truly adequate center. The centrality of Jesus Christ was something that he presented as a concept that “Latter-day Saints get nervous and defensive” about in their zeal to avoid “sectarianism” [orthodox Christianity] (Covey, 1982, p. 68).

The value in considering the above, in terms of this study, is to note its likeness to the diagram following. The similarity between the two is undeniable; but notice that the Divine Center has been replaced with Principles. Once again, the essence of the 7 Habits is found in The Divine Center; although this should not be surprising, it provides credence to using Covey’s earlier work to assist in understanding the 7 Habits.