{"id":11011,"date":"2012-07-23T22:56:38","date_gmt":"2012-07-24T06:56:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=11011"},"modified":"2013-09-19T08:59:25","modified_gmt":"2013-09-19T16:59:25","slug":"7-lessons-on-living-right-from-stephen-covey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/7-lessons-on-living-right-from-stephen-covey\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Lessons on Living Right from Stephen Covey"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

<\/a><\/p>\n

You\u2019re a good person. You act with integrity, take responsibility, and live by the Golden Rule.<\/em><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably read tons of books on personal development because you\u2019re always striving to do better. You believe you can never stop tweaking your habits and attitudes to improve yourself.<\/em><\/p>\n

Your bookshelves might even hold the self-help classic, \u201cThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,\u201d by the late Stephen Covey. When he died July 16th the world lost a great teacher and champion for personal responsibility.<\/em><\/p>\n

In honor of his life, I want you to ask yourself a tough question: How good are you? Are you honest in every thought and statement, always act from your values, and never skip the high road for the low?<\/p>\n

Are you sure?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true: you\u2019re no Bernie Madoff. You have integrity and would never dream of hurting others.<\/p>\n

But whether you know it or not, you\u2019ve grown comfortable with yourself and maybe, once in awhile, you let doing the right thing slide in favor of the easy. <\/strong>It\u2019s holding you back from a truly exceptional life, the life you know you\u2019re capable of.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The thing is, you\u2019re human. You make judgment errors. And that\u2019s okay, as long as you notice and correct them. You can\u2019t be hard-core vigilant all the time, but just like with Covey\u2019s habits, you can retrain yourself to make fewer of those mistakes over time.<\/p>\n

You need a Living Right Check-up, using the words of the master himself.<\/p>\n

Here are seven quotes from Stephen Covey, and how you can apply them to make sure you\u2019re living with total integrity:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t argue for other people’s weaknesses. Don’t argue for your own. When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it \u2013 immediately.\u201d<\/h1>\n

The problem:<\/strong> You do something thoughtless or hurtful, or something bad happens like divorce or your business fails. You absolve yourself of guilt by blaming it on a misunderstanding, or someone or something else (your ex-, the weak economy).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> Take a close look, and you\u2019ll see you were at least partly responsible. Maybe you weren\u2019t as communicative or kind as you could have been with your ex-, or maybe you didn\u2019t do enough research before you launched your business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got to suck it up and admit you were at fault. It stings a little, but whoever you\u2019re confessing to will respect you for it. Then, make it right, whether that\u2019s with a sincere apology or restorative action. Lastly, learn from the mistake so it doesn\u2019t happen again.<\/p>\n

\u201cLive out of your imagination, not your history.\u201d<\/h1>\n

The problem:<\/strong> Bad stuff has happened in your life. Maybe it was a difficult childhood, financial trouble, or serious illness. It slowed you down then, and stops you from moving forward now.<\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> Acknowledge that your past is not your future. Sure, all that stuff happened and it was awful, but you\u2019re still standing, and you still have a brain, a heart, and big dreams. (You may have doubts, too, but that\u2019s normal.<\/a>)<\/p>\n

You also have resilience, since you survived it, so imagine a better life \u2013 a life where you\u2019re living your dreams \u2013 and step into your excellent future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these assumptions.\u201d<\/h1>\n

The problem: <\/strong>That one teacher said you weren\u2019t a good writer, and even though you love to draft stories or poems, you assume you\u2019ll never get published because you believe she was right. So you don\u2019t even try.<\/p>\n

Or your parents taught you that money is evil, and even though you have a great idea for a lucrative, socially responsible business, you don\u2019t start it because you\u2019ve taken their words as truth.<\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> Question your thoughts and assumptions. So much of what others tell us is about them, not us. There\u2019s value in that thing you want so badly.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t banish that old negative message, get a second opinion from someone you trust. Ask for tough love, but kindness, too. Talent and good ideas need to be nurtured, so give yourself the gift of letting them grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic.\u201d<\/h1>\n

The problem:<\/strong> You see others doing things you don\u2019t approve of<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to criticize from the sidelines, and you share it with anyone who will listen. But it leaves you feeling bitter and small.<\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> There will always be someone doing something you don\u2019t like. Always. Recognize this fact, and understand that judging doesn\u2019t help either of you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s frustrating to witness bad behavior. But rise above your frustration or anger and be better. Be an example of good behavior in all you do. You\u2019ll effect positive change \u2013 the ripple effect \u2013 and it\u2019ll leave you feeling expansive, satisfied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present.\u201d<\/h1>\n

The problem: <\/strong>You\u2019re at a party and the person next to you gossips about a mutual acquaintance. Or that person makes a racial, sexist, or homophobic \u201cjoke.\u201d You say nothing, because you don\u2019t want to make waves or seem difficult. When you get home later you feel bad but tell yourself it was only a party, that no one will remember anyway.<\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> No matter how trivial the situation seems, all those comments add up to negativity and prejudice. If someone says something you disagree with, speak up. It\u2019s scary at first, and the person you\u2019re standing up to may snap back or criticize you.<\/p>\n

But everyone else standing there will admire you for it. They were probably thinking the same thing but didn\u2019t have the courage to say it, so be the courageous one. Inspire someone else to do the same down the line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe immediately become more effective when we decide to change ourselves rather than asking things to change for us.\u201d<\/h1>\n

The problem:<\/strong> You\u2019re deep in debt, or stuck in a boring job or unsatisfying relationship. You daydream about winning the lottery, starting a business, or meeting Mr. or Ms. Right at the grocery store. But those things never happen.<\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> Take charge and take action. It\u2019s up to you to make your life happen, and all it takes are baby steps, one after another. Put an extra $50 a month toward your debt. Check the job listings every morning. Take a class or join a group to meet new people. Action leads to progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cLive, love, laugh, leave a legacy.\u201d<\/h1>\n

The problem:<\/strong> You\u2019ve let yourself get too serious and life feels, well, lifeless. Your days are full of tasks and responsibilities but you\u2019re not having a good time. You remember getting crazy with friends, or trying new things just for the fun of it, but you don\u2019t anymore. You worry that at the end of your life you\u2019ll have little to show for it.<\/p>\n

The fix:<\/strong> First, lighten up. You\u2019ve got a lot of years left, and you need a joy infusion. Have some fun<\/a>, love your people (and animals), laugh loud.<\/p>\n

Next, think big. What do you want to be remembered for after you\u2019re gone?<\/a> Great art, good works, deep thoughts? Make your life stand for something bigger than yourself. Create change. Leave a mark. Start now.<\/p>\n

Special Opportunity for Pick the Brain Readers<\/h1>\n

I\u2019m offering Pick the Brain readers a free live training event that teaches you how to add more focus, fun, and satisfaction to your life in just 10 minutes a day.<\/em><\/p>\n

This easy four-step process works, and after the training you\u2019ll:<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Add spice to your daily life, right away<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Feel more excited and energized than you have in ages<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Start getting the creative, independent, hugely satisfying life you deserve<\/em><\/p>\n

Drop off your email address at<\/em> Life on the High Wire<\/em><\/a> to sign up for free access. See you soon!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, and one more thing \u2013 is there a quote from Stephen Covey you\u2019d add to this list? Let us know in the comments!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

DEONNE KAHLER writes at<\/em> Life on the High Wire<\/em><\/a>. She\u2019s also<\/em> mom to Sam the Wonder Pup and is obsessed with road tripping, national parks, and quirk.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Photo credit: ‘Sunrise<\/a>‘ by Big Stock
\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re a good person. You act with integrity, take responsibility, and live by the Golden Rule.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably read tons of books on personal development because you\u2019re always striving to do better. You believe you can never stop tweaking your habits and attitudes to improve yourself.<\/p>\n

Your bookshelves might even hold the self-help classic, \u201cThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,\u201d by the late Stephen Covey. When he died July 16th the world lost a great teacher and champion for personal responsibility. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":11013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6],"tags":[2047,1745,66,54,4629,2046],"yoast_head":"\n7 Lessons on Living Right from Stephen Covey - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here are seven quotes from Stephen Covey, and how you can apply them to make sure you\u2019re living with total integrity: \u201cDon't argue for other people's weaknesses. Don't argue for your own. 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