Stephen Covey Priorities Quotations

Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.

Priority is a function of context.

When you have too many top priorities, you effectively have no top priorities.

What does it matter how much we do if what we're doing isn't what matters most?

If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster.

Organize and execute around priorities.

It's better to be trusted than to be liked.

Once you have a clear picture of your priorities - that is values, goals, and high leverage activities - organize around them.

The enemy of the "best" is often the "good."

Don't prioritize your schedule, schedule those priorities.

Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.

It's not only a matter of when to do things, but whether or not to do them at all.