"If my sense of security lies in my reputation or in the things I have, my life will be in a constant state of threat and jeopardy-a fear that these possessions may be lost, stolen, or devalued. If I'm in the presence of someone of greater net worth, fame, or status, I feel inferior. If I'm in the presence of someone of lesser net worth, fame or status, I feel superior. My sense of self-worth constantly fluctu-ates. I don't have any sense of constancy, anchorage, or persistent selfhood. I am constantly trying to protect and insure my assets, properties, securities, position, or reputation."
Stephen Covey
Author, Speaker
Stephen Covey was a renowned author and educator, best known for his book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,' which transformed personal and professional development.
- Born
- October 24, 1939
- Quotes
- 702
- Rank
- #331
Quote collection
Stephen Covey quotes (page 26 of 36)
702 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"When a person has access to both the intuitive, creative and visual right brain, and the analytical, logical, verbal left brain, then the whole brain is working...And this tool is best suited to the reality of what life is, because life is not just logical-it is also emotional."
"In our own lives, having a mind-set of expecting to win increases our odds of winning. It helps us get better results. And better results help us increase our credibility and self-confidence, which leads to more positive self-expectancy, and more winning - and the upward cycle continues. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."
"Trust is the one thing that affects everything else you're doing. It's a performance multiplier which takes your trajectory upwards, for every activity you engage in, from strategy to execution."
"People and their managers are working so hard to be sure things are done right, that they have hardly have time to decide if they are doing the right things."
"If you want the secondary greatness of recognized talent, focus first on primary greatness of character."
"If there's one thing that's certain in business, it's uncertainty."
"The greatest and most inspiring mountain climbing achievements in history are not so much stories of individual achievement, but are stories of the extraordinary power of a unified, talented, prepared team that stays loyally committed to one another and to their shared vision to the end."
"Real excellence does not come cheaply. A certain price must be paid in terms of practice, patience, and persistence - natural ability notwithstanding."
"We're often so busy cutting through the undergrowth we don't even realise we're in the wrong jungle."
"It's a fact that more people watch television and get their information that way than read books. I find new technology and new ways of communication very exciting and would like to do more in this field."
"Fulfilling the four needs in an integrated way is like combining elements in chemistry. When we reach a "critical mass" of integration, we experience spontaneous combustion - an explosion of inner synergy that ignites the fire within and gives vision, passion, and a spirit of adventure to life."
"Trust is the glue that holds everything together. It creates the environment in which all of the other elements win-win stewardship agreements, self-directing individuals and teams, aligned structures and systems, and accountability can flourish."
"You have two ears and one mouth. Use them accordingly."
"If we know how to listen to our own heart, we can listen to the hearts of others."
"Be a function of your values rather than a function of the impulse or desire of any given moment."
"We tend to get what we expect - both from ourselves and from others. When we expect more, we tend to get more; when we expect less, we tend to get less."
"The power of transcendent vision is greater than the power of the scripting deep inside the human personality and it subordinates it [the scripting], submerges it, until the whole personality is reorganized in the accomplishment of that vision."
"Affirm people. Affirm your children. Believe in them, not in what you see but in what you don't see - their potential."
"Network marketing has come of age. It's undeniable that it has become a way to entrepreneurship and independence for millions of people"