Stephen R. Covey

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

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

As a principle-centered person you try to stand apart from the emotion of the situation and from other factors that would act on you, and evaluate the options. Looking at the balanced whole–the work needs, the family needs, the other needs that may be involved, and the possible implications of the various alternatives — you’ll try to come up with the best solution taking all factors into consideration. We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations.

It is in the ordinary events of every day that we develop the proactive capacity to handle the extraordinary pressures of life. It’s how we make and keep commitments, how we handle a traffic jam, how we respond to an irate customer or a disobedient child. It’s how we view our problems and where we focus our energies. It’s the language we use.

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

Priority is a function of context.

Procastination is not about not doing is about not doing and feeling crappy.

Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.

It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly.

A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it’s better than no inspiration at all.

Just the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.

The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else.

It was a feeling I had. People were taught how to think, we’re taught how to feel. We don’t know how to think for ourselves, [and] we don’t know how to feel for ourselves. People say ‘Feel free,’ but they don’t really want us to feel free. I felt a freedom, first of all, doing something that everybody tells you not to do.

Sometimes you just got to give yourself what you wish someone else would give you.

Only when you combine sound intellect with emotional discipline do you get rational behavior.

You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals.

The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.

Always think positively and expect the best.

Rules are meant to be broken.

The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations.

Don’t let mistakes and disappointments of the past control and direct your future.