613 Quotes by Stephen R. Covey

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

Actually I did not invent the seven habits, they are universal principles and most of what I wrote about is just common sense. I am embarrassed when people talk about the Covey Habits, and dislike the idea of being some sort of guru.

Trust is a powerful accelerator to performance and when trust goes up, speed also goes up while cost comes down – producing what we call a trust dividend.

Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and contribution.

The commitments we make to ourselves and to others, and our integrity to those commitments, is the essence and clearest manifestation of our proactivity.

I can change. I can live out of my imagination instead of my memory. I can tie myself to my limitless potential instead of my limiting past.

It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one’s heart rather than out of pity.

Stop setting goals. Goals are pure fantasy unless you have a specific plan to achieve them.

Passion is the fire, enthusiasm and courage that an individual feels when she is doing something she loves while accomplishing worthy ends, something that satisfies her deepest needs.