In a previous blog post, I shared an extended summary of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. This book, a powerful guide towards personal growth and professional effectiveness, has served as a beacon for countless people around the globe, including myself.
In my journey with the book, I’ve found it to be a treasure trove of wisdom, with insights so profound that they leave an indelible impact on your worldview. But, as with any such guide, some of its magic lies in its quotable lines — those powerful nuggets of wisdom that condense complex thoughts into digestible, memorable phrases.
Today, I am thrilled to share with you a curated list of my favorite quotes from this enlightening work. Each quote has been handpicked for its relevance and resonance, and I hope that they inspire, motivate, and provide food for thought, just as they have done for me.
These quotes not only encapsulate the essence of Covey’s teachings but also serve as quick reminders of the seven habits that pave the way towards a more effective and fulfilling life. They are like guiding stars, leading us back to the path of effectiveness when we tend to drift away.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Quotes
Here are some interesting quotes that stood out to me from Stephen Cobey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Quotes Showing 1-30 of 1,805
“But until a person can say deeply and honestly, “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,” that person cannot say, “I choose otherwise.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Start with the end in mind. ” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“To change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“It’s not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurts us.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Courage isn’t absence of fear, it is the awareness that something else is important” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” ― Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control – myself.” ― Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Habit is the intersection of knowledge (what to do), skill (how to do), and desire (want to do).” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“At some time in your life, you probably had someone believe in you when you didn’t believe in yourself.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“We see the world, not as it is, but as we are──or, as we are conditioned to see it.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Ineffective people live day after day with unused potential.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Love is a verb. Love – the feeling – is the fruit of love the verb or our loving actions. So love her. Sacrifice. Listen to her. Empathize. Appreciate. Affirm her.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“It is one thing to make a mistake, and quite another thing not to admit it. People will forgive mistakes, because mistakes are usually of the mind, mistakes of judgment. But people will not easily forgive the mistakes of the heart, the ill intention, the bad motives, the prideful justifying cover-up of the first mistake.” ― Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“As you care less about what people think of you, you will care more about what others think of themselves.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
“Admission of ignorance is often the first step in our education.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
