10 Key Stephen Covey's Principles About Life

American educator, writer, businessman, and public speaker Stephen Covey (1932-2012) became widely known after 1989, when his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Succesful People " was published and sold in millions of copies. However, this is not the only bestseller written by Covey. In his books, he shares knowledge about time management, leadership, efficiency, and above all, success.

Thanks to his work, Covey acquired the status of a real guru. Presidents of countries and leaders of such large corporations as Unilever, IBM, and AT&T took his advice. According to Time magazine, for many years he was one of the most influential people in the world.

Our article will introduce you to the key thoughts and ideas of Stephen Covey. Following them will help you can become more effective, achieve goals faster and feel the value of life.

Goal Setting Using The "Big Rocks" Method

Stephen Covey told a curious story in his book "Focusing on Things First.

One professor decided to illustrate the principle of productivity to his students. He took out a jar with a wide mouth and, in front of his students, filled it to the brim with stones the size of an egg. When no more stones could fit in the jar, he asked, "Is this jar full?" The students answered unequivocally, "Yes."

The professor smiled, and pulled out a bucket of gravel from under the table, threw some into the jar, and shook it so that it evenly filled the space between the large stones. Then he asked the group again, "Is the jar now full?" The students were no longer so categorical and answered: "Probably not." Then the teacher took out a bucket of sand and began to pour the sand into the jar until it filled the empty space between the stones and gravel.

The question was again followed: "Is the jar full?" The students shouted, "No!" The professor replied, “Okay,” and in front of the amazed students, he began pouring water into the jar until it was about to start dripping. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What conclusion can be drawn from this experiment?" One impatient student raised his hand and said, "No matter how busy your schedule is, if you try hard, you can add a few more small things to it!"

"No," said the professor, "the moral of this experience is that if you don't start the day with the biggest tasks, you'll never get them done because all the time will be taken up by the small stuff.

In other words, Stephen Covey's productivity advice is: Set the most important goals first when planning your life or day and pay attention to them. The most important goals are the things that will move you forward. Otherwise, you can spend the whole day with "small rocks" and not do anything important.

To learn how to set goals using the big rocks method, ask yourself two questions:

• What is the only thing that I can start doing that can significantly improve my life?
  
  
• What is the only thing that I can stop doing that can significantly improve my life?
  
  

Answer these two questions and you will understand what you really need to focus on, i.e. identify the most important goals. Focusing on only these two things will ultimately have a positive "side effect" that will manifest itself in unintentionally doing more things than planned.

4 Dimensions Of Life And The Concept Of Multiple Intelligences

Stephen Covey argued that to be successful and effective, you need to equally diligently cultivate the 4 dimensions of human life: body, mind, heart (emotions), and soul. All dimensions are interconnected and together create a balance that allows a person to become who he always wanted to be.

The concept of multiple intelligences is closely intertwined with the 4 spheres of life. Covey identified 4 types of intelligence that are inherent in humans and are critical for success in life.

Physical Intelligence

Ability to maintain and develop physical fitness.

A perpetually tired and sore person will not be productive, no matter how much they work. By strengthening your physical health, you get the strength and energy you need to meet the demands of life.

Therefore, taking care of the body should become one of the priorities in life. 

Mental Intelligence

The ability to analyze, reason, think abstractly, use language, visualize and understand.

The best way to reactivate a tired mind is to switch it to something different, something that is different from the daily routine of activity. New tasks for the brain stimulate its unused areas and promote the generation of new ideas.

Here are a few tips for increasing mental intelligence:

• Read intellectual books.
  
  
• Write articles on a selected topic.
  
  
• Attend educational lectures offline and online.
  
  
• Go to museums.
  
  
• Watch documentaries on a wide variety of topics.

Emotional Intelligence

Self-awareness, self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to successfully communicate with people.

Whether one is introverted or extroverted, communication is necessary for everyone. It reduces stress and eliminates depressive moods. Moreover, interaction with other human minds is an opportunity to learn new ideas and improve one's own.

Here are some simple recommendations for improving emotional intelligence:

• Have lunch with your colleagues.
  
  
• Write a letter to a loved one.
  
  
• Meet new people.
  
  
• Join a sports team.
  
  
• Avoid socializing with toxic people.
  
  
• Have dinner with family.
  
  
• Keep a gratitude journal.
  
  
• Learn about cognitive behavioral therapy.
  
  
• Practice deep breathing regularly.
  
  
• Look for the positives in everything.
  
  
• Have compassion for those around you.

Spiritual Intelligence

The pursuit of the true purpose of human existence and the connection with everything.

Covey suggested developing spiritual intelligence in the following ways:

• Learn about the scriptures, philosophical treatises.
  
  
• Meditate once a week.
  
  
• Spend time in nature.

A well-developed spiritual intelligence helps one to adhere to true principles based on high morality.

A balance between all 4 dimensions of human nature is crucial to a fulfilled life.

Paradigms Or How You Look At The World

Life paradigms are a person's views of the world, his own understanding, and explanation of what is going on around him. Family and friends, culture, historical events, belief systems, and individual life experiences influence the formation of paradigms. What one sees is not an accurate reflection of reality, it is only a projection of one's views and perceptions.

Paradigms are natural and inevitable, but sometimes they become hopelessly outdated and dysfunctional. As a result, absurd paradigms determine appropriate behavior and attitudes toward the world.

In Covey's view, trying to change behavior and attitudes is a completely futile endeavor, short-lived and incapable of leading to improvements. Only a paradigm shift allows us to see the world in a new light. A paradigm shift is a change in perception of something.

To change the paradigms, you need to revise the existing one, evaluate it for reality and usefulness, and become open to the opinions, views, perceptions of other people. You may decide that you will take the other person's paradigm as the truth, you can accept it partially, or you can completely ignore it, but if you reject every standpoint other than your own, you can never change the paradigm and improve your life.

Resistance to a paradigm shift arises when a person internally feels vulnerable and unprotected, believes that only property, reputation, etc., i.e., external factors, can provide security. 

Creating comfort and security from within is a condition for an easy paradigm shift. That is, if one is not vulnerable and whole at heart, he can allow himself to be vulnerable on the "surface" and take risks by looking at the world from different angles.

According to Covey, the way to get rid of inner vulnerability is to build security on eternal values, such as respect for human dignity, justice, honesty, personal growth and service to others.

10 Key Stephen Covey's Principles About Life

Stephen Covey left a lot of useful knowledge about productivity and efficiency to humanity, including 10 life principles that are designed to make life better:

#1 The Lighthouse Principle

There are immutable principles of being; don't try to fight them, or you will hurt yourself.

By the lighthouse principle, Covey meant the eternal and universal laws of life. They can be compared to the natural laws that govern physics, such as gravity. It makes no difference whether one believes it or not, but the law of gravity exists, and it would be foolish to fight it.

Covey argued that human growth and prosperity rest on the immutable principles of love, honesty, kindness, hard work, gratitude, patience, perseverance, forgiveness, loyalty, generosity, and faith. These principles are unchanged through the ages and apply to all mankind.

We recommend watching this video where Covey tells the story of the lighthouse.

#2 The 10/90 Principle

10% of life is what happens to you, and 90% is how you react to it.

This means that the person is able to choose how he or she responds to life's situations. If someone says unpleasant things about you, don't be a sponge absorbing the negativity. Imagine that the negative comments don't hurt you, but roll off like water on glass. Choose the right response.

If you can't find the positives in what happened, be grateful for the experience and just let the situation go.

#3 The Harvest Principle

What goes around comes around.

This principle is an enlightening look at the true meaning of "Reaping what you sow", and the importance of strong work ethic, persistence, patience, perseverance as well as attention to detail are imperative. 

With potato farming, it takes from three to four years from soil prep to harvest! Shortcuts simply don't cut it, examines the benefits and drawbacks of taking shortcuts.

A person is able to achieve success in life only with purposeful, consistent, daily efforts.

#4 True North Principle

Life principles are a compass with true north that is objective and immutable; align your subjective values with true north.

True north is a navigator that helps you stay on the right track in the midst of a crazy world. It is based on the underlying principles that guide you. It is the unique inner compass that defines who you are at the deepest level.

Values are beliefs and standards of behavior, they are subjective and can change over time. Whenever your values are at odds with your principles, the world signals it. You may experience stress, loneliness, resentment, irritation, or even a combination of these states, which are signs that you are off course.

When this happens, you need to analyze your values and align them with the principles that are fundamental and true to you.

#5 Do First What Needs To Be Done First

Many people unconsciously spend time on activities that are inconsequential and do not lead to improvements in life. Instead, Covey recommends taking time out and reflecting on your main mission . To become a master of time and live truly happily, you first need to realize your needs and prioritize.

After you have identified the main thing and taken responsibility for your life, start acting, i.e. work towards the long-term goals that will bring the greatest benefits.

#6 The Principle Of Empathic Listening

Most people communicate not in order to understand the interlocutor, but in order to speak out, to impose their position, to evaluate the other using their own paradigm, forgetting that it is subjective. Such communication is superficial and unproductive.

Empathic listening implies that you listen not so much with your ears as with your eyes and heart. You listen in order to feel the other person, to understand him or her. Don't try to project your own experience onto him or her, but seek to see the reality that exists in the head and heart of the other person.

Empathic listening promotes deep communication with another human soul.

#7 The Principle Of Efficiency

Strike a balance between production and production capabilities.

By production Covey meant the ability to work productively and get results, and by production capabilities - the ability to maintain efficiency.

The balance between production and production capabilities is efficiency. You cannot indefinitely produce (i.e., achieve short-term results) while neglecting your productive capabilities. You can burn out that way.

Actions necessary to reset, such as vacations or time off, may seem unproductive, but they are what lead to increased productivity later on.

#8 Inspiration Instead Of Donkey Theory

The donkey theory assumes that in the process of performing work, a person is used as a weak-willed tool (donkey), motivating him with a sweet carrot (some kind of reward for work).

Covey encouraged you to work with people who value your unique contributions, reward your creativity, and not deal with those who treat you like a machine or a work tool.

#9 Find Your Voice

According to Covey, everyone is endowed with certain gifts (talents and intelligence) that must be unleashed through decisive action. This will enable one to live a passionate and fulfilling life.

To find your voice, you need to answer four questions:

• What am I really good at?
  
  
• What do I love doing most?
  
  
• How can I serve others?
  
  
• What gives meaning to my life?

#10 Circle Of Influence Principle

The circle of influence is what you can control: success at work, strengthening relationships, taking care of your physical body, etc. There are also things that are beyond your control, such as time, the weather, or other people's thoughts.

Covey encouraged focusing energy on your circle of influence because that's where you can make progress and satisfaction. A person is a creative force in his life, not a victim of circumstance. As you empathize and increase your circle of influence, you will be able to influence many more things over time.

If you follow these universal principles, you can achieve your goals faster, become more productive and happier.

Bonus

We have already come to the end of the article, but before completing it, we will present you with Stephen Covey's bestseller list.

Stephen Covey has written about 200 books, the reading of which is recommended not only for leaders and businessmen, but also for all those who are not indifferent to their own lives. Here are some particularly interesting bestsellers:

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
  
  
• First Things First.
  
  
• Principle-Centered Leadership.
  
  
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.
  
  
• The 8th habit.
  
  
• The leader in me. (on how to unleash the potential of the child)
  
  
• The 3rd Alternative: Solving Life's Most Difficult Problems.
  
  
• The 4 Imperatives Of Great Leaders.
  
  
• Great Work, Great Career.
  
  

Stephen Covey's books inspire millions of readers to make significant changes in thinking, which will subsequently transform life, making it more joyful and brighter.

The main message that Covey broadcast was simple: everyone is able to control their own destiny. He urged you to abandon the role of a product of the environment, stop complaining and whining, blaming the whole world for your own failures, and instead realize that you are endowed with the power of choice and, regardless of your past, you can reinvent yourself.

Friends, be the creative force in your own life, and remember that the potential for untapped resources within each person is enormous. Start to reveal it and become what you have always dreamed of being! Good luck!

Many thanks for reading.