Mrs. Doubtfire

The character Daniel (Robin Williams) in the film Mrs. Doubtfire creatively employed the first three of Stephen Covey's "seven habits of highly effective people," as outlined in his book by the same title. Although a comedic and exaggerated screenplay, the story of Mrs. Doubtfire illustrates how anyone can rise to the occasion and how the seven habits can in fact lead to becoming highly effective person.

The first of the seven habits is to be proactive. In other words, plan ahead and take positive steps toward the desired goal. Daniel, when first confronted with the problem of not being able to see his kids, despaired. After all mundane attempts failed, Daniel decides he would have to take a more creative approach and disguise himself as a British female nanny. His outlandish actions were nevertheless entirely proactive: he realized that the only way to edge his way back into his children's lives would be to get hired on as their nanny. Ultimately, his plan worked, demonstrating the effectiveness of Daniel's proactive steps.

Second, Covey advises people to "begin with the end in mind." In keeping with the principle of being proactive, beginning with the end in mind helped Daniel eliminate the frustration of enduring his cumbersome costume and the secrecy of his actions. The end he kept in mind the entire time was to be by his kids, to offer them the love, support, and attention he could not give them as Daniel. Dressing in drag was not at all the end, but rather a means to an end. Ultimately Daniel hoped to be with his kids as himself, as their father, and through a series of slapstick events such as the restaurant scene toward the end of the film, his costume finally came off and his wife rediscovered Daniel's inner strength of character.

Finally, Daniel ascribed to the third of Covey's seven habits: "put first things first." By prioritizing his goals in terms of their urgency and importance, Daniel was able to be with his kids regularly. Prioritizing meant that Daniel had to carefully juggle the dual deed of keeping his true identity secret and at the same time, make every effort to be with his children.