dr. stephen covey

Each of us tends to think we see things as they are, that we are objective. But this is not the case. We see the world, not as it is, but as we are - or as we are conditioned to see it.

Paradigms are powerful because they create the lens through which we see the world.

Begin with the end in mind.

One of the best ways to educate our hearts is to look at our interaction with other people, because our relationships with others are fundamentally a reflection of our relationship with ourselves.

Effective people are not problem-minded; they’re opportunity minded. They feed opportunities and starve problems.

Management works in the system. Leadership works on the system.

Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down, asterisk it, circle it, underline it. No involvement, no commitment.

Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character.

Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?...True effectiveness requires balance.

Live out of your imagination, not your history

If you’re proactive, you don’t have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own.

Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually.

Don’t argue for other people’s weaknesses. Don’t argue for your own. When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it—immediately.

Between stimulus and response, one has the freedom to choose.