Stephen Covey Quotes

THE MOMENT OF CHOICE A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It's the testing point of our character and competence.

Integrity in the Moment of Choice Quality of life depends on what happens in the space between stimulus and response.

It's not enough to have values without vision; you want to be good, but you want to be good for something. On the other hand, vision without values can create a Hitler. An empowering mission statement deals with both character and competence; what you want to be and what you want to do in your life.

We present a dramatically different approach to time management. This is a principle-centered approach. It transcends the traditional prescriptions of faster, harder, smarter, and more. Rather than offering you another clock, this approach provides you with a compass — because more important than how fast you're going, is where you're headed.

Let natural consequences teach responsible behavior. One of the kindest things we can do is to let the natural or logical consequences of people's actions teach them responsible behavior. They may not like it or us, but popularity is a fickle standard by which to measure character development. Insisting on justice demands more true love, not less. We care enough for their growth and security to suffer their displeasure.

Prepare your mind and heart before you prepare your speech. What we say may be less important than how we say it.

Give no answer to contentious arguments or irresponsible accusations. Let such things "fly out open windows" until they spend themselves.

Live the law of love. We encourage obedience to the laws of life when we live the laws of love.

Unless we exercise our power to choose wisely, our actions will be determined by conditions. Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.

Perform anonymous service. Whenever we do good for others anonymously, our sense of intrinsic worth and self-respect increases. … Selfless service has always been one of the most powerful methods of influence.

The power to distinguish between person and performance and to communicate intrinsic worth flows naturally out of our own sense of intrinsic worth.

In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.

Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

Self growth is tender; it's holy ground. There's no higher investment.