First Things First QUOTES

2 " We are free to choose our actions, . . . but we are not free to choose the consequences of these actions. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

4 " it is that a meaningful life is not a matter of speed or efficiency. It’s much more a matter of what you do and why you do it, than how fast you get it done. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

6 " THE URGENCY ADDICTION Some of us get so used to the adrenaline rush of handling crises that we become dependent on it for a sense of excitement and energy. How does urgency feel? Stressful? Pressured? Tense? Exhausting? Sure. But let’s be honest. It’s also sometimes exhilarating. We feel useful. We feel successful. We feel validated. And we get good at it. Whenever there’s trouble, we ride into town, pull out our six shooter, do the varmint in, blow the smoke off the gun barrel, and ride into the sunset like a hero. It brings instant results and instant gratification. We get a temporary high from solving urgent and important crises. Then when the importance isn’t there, the urgency fix is so powerful we are drawn to do anything urgent, just to stay in motion. People expect us to be busy, overworked. It’s become a status symbol in our society—if we’re busy, we’re important; if we’re not busy, we’re almost embarrassed to admit it. Busyness is where we get our security. It’s validating, popular, and pleasing. It’s also a good excuse for not dealing with the first things in our lives. “I’d love to spend quality time with you, but I have to work. There’s this deadline. It’s urgent. Of course you understand.” “I just don’t have time to exercise. I know it’s important, but there are so many pressing things right now. Maybe when things slow down a little. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

8 " It’s not enough to dream. It’s not enough to try. It’s not enough to set goals or climb ladders. It’s not enough to value. The effort has to be based on practical realities that produce the result. Only then can we dream, set goals, and work to achieve them with confidence. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

10 " Urgency addiction is a self-destructive behavior that temporarily fills the void created by unmet needs. And instead of meeting these needs, the tools and approaches of time management often feed the addiction. They keep us focused on daily prioritization of the urgent. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

12 " How Many People on Their Deathbed Wish They’d Spent More Time at the Office? "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

14 " بعضنا يشعر بفقدان الاتجاه ، والبلبلة . هؤلاء لا يوجد لديهم تقدير حقيقي للأمور التي تعد الاهم في حياتهم . فهم ينتقلون من نشاط إلى آخر بتلقائية وعفوية ، وبطريقة ميكانيكية بحتة . وبين الحين والآخر يتساءل هؤلاء : هل هناك معنى لما نقوم به من عمل ؟
وبدلا من أن ننظر إلى الأسباب الحقيقية في عدم رؤيتنا للأهم فإنا نتحايل على ذلك بالمسكنات والحلول السريعة لنتجاهل المشكلة ، محصنين بالراحة المؤقتة اللتي تحققها تلك الحلول المؤقتة ، فنصبح مشغولين أكثر وأكثر . "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

16 " Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

18 " because more important than how fast you’re going, is where you’re headed. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First

20 " There’s no way we can escape accountability. We do make a difference—one way or the other. We are responsible for the impact of our lives. "

― Stephen R. Covey , First Things First