Quotes by Stephen Covey

There is no future in a job. The only future is inside oneself. We look inside rather than outside. We become producer rather than consumers of other peoples’ production.

The great obstacle to communication is the tendency to constantly evaluate or moralize with others, creating in them a fear to speak or act. The great key to this communication is to learn to listen attentively with understanding to the other person’s point of view creating an atmosphere of love and approval.

Very few people have ever experienced the feeling of being completely understood. When they experience it, it can become one of the richest feelings they have ever had.

It is unpleasant and disturbing to be rejected. It is deeply satisfying to be accepted.

To carefully listen is a powerful way of saying to another that we value that person. When we take the time to understand we communicate that we care, we want to understand, we respect their expression, we give dignity and an individual sense of worth. Communication lies more in feeling than in words.

We can actually live out the trials and temptations of the day before they come. We can in prayer deal with all our unrighteous aspirations, selfishness, perverse inclinations, impatience, anger, procrastination. This is a form of spiritual creation.

Our problems don’t stem from our ignorance so much as our disobedience of that which we know to be right.

I must change in order to change the world. The only revolution with any permanent value takes part in the breast of the individual person.

Too many are trying to conquer higher weaknesses such as procrastination, impatience or pride while still being slaves to their appetites. If we can’t control the body and its appetites, how can we control our tongues, or overcome the emotions or anger, envy, jealousy, or hatred?

Your ability to get along with others flows naturally from how well you are getting along with yourself from your own internal peace and harmony which is itself a function of your peace and harmony with God and your family.

Trust is the glue of life.

Lord, give me the courage to change the things which can and ought to be changed, the serenity to accept things which cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference - Alcoholics Anonymous

So also in a marriage or in helping a teenager through a difficult identity crisis—there is no quick fix, where you can just move in and make everything right with a positive mental attitude and a bunch of success formulas.

If theres one thing thats certain in business, its uncertainty.

Employers and business leaders need people who can think for themselves - who can take initiative and be the solution to problems.

A cardinal principle of Total Quality escapes too many managers: you cannot continuously improve interdependent systems and processes until you progressively perfect interdependent, interpersonal relationships.

If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm.

Between stimulus and response, there is a space where we choose our response.

Moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity, treating people with respect.

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