Stephen R. Covey

In addition to self-awareness, imagination and conscience, it is the fourth human endowment-independent will-that really makes effective self-management possible. It is the ability to make decisions and choices and to act in accordance with them. It is the ability to act rather than to be acted upon, to proactively carry out the program we have developed through the other three endowments. Empowerment comes from learning how to use this great endowment in the decisions we make every day.

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.

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

Accountability breeds responsibility.

You can’t live principals you can’t understand.

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.

It’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you use that makes a difference.

Good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who are patient and the best things come to those who don’t give up.

I don’t know exactly what’s next but I’m stepping forward with grit anchored in grace.

Do not let anyone tell you it cannot be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America. We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again.

By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day

I was once afraid of people saying ‘Who does she think she is?’ Now I have the courage to stand and say, ‘This is who I am.

In today’’s rapidly changing world, the people who are not taking risk are the risk takers.

If my life has had a theme, I suppose it has been a typical American theme in that, for most of it, I have been looking for happiness and success.

Thanks to emptiness, everything is possible.

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

The most important thing in life is to love what you’re doing, because that’s the only way you’ll ever be really good at it.

Sometimes you find out what you are supposed to be doing by doing the things you are not supposed to do.

My goal is just to be respected as a man when I walk down the street with my family.

When you want to express yourself, a lot of times words can get in the way.

If you’re going through hell, keep going.