Stephen R. Covey

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

Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.

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.

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

To focus on technique is like cramming your way through school. You sometimes get by, perhaps even get good grades, but if you don’t pay the price day in and day out, you’ll never achieve true mastery of the subjects you study or develop an educated mind.

Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.

Motivation is the fuel necessary to keep the human engine running.

Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.

80 Percent of the constraints, the factors that are holding you back from achieving your goals, are internal.

A person with a clear purpose will make progress on even the roughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress even on the smoothest road.

I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.

If you can dream it, then you can achieve it.

Use your work to better yourself.

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.

If you can eliminate all the other choices, the remaining choice, no matter how improbable, is the answer.

Sometimes if you’re lucky someone comes into your life who’ll take up a place in your heart no one else can fill.

Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.

Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life – all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.

We hear tears loudly on this side of Heaven. What we don’t take time to contemplate are the even louder cheers on the other side of death’s valley.