Stephen Covey

We began to realize that if we wanted to change the situation, we first had to change ourselves.

And to change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.

You always reap what you sow; there is no shortcut.

fundamental problems that cannot be solved on the superficial level on which they were created.

Inside-out” means to start first with self; even more fundamentally, to start with the most inside part of self—with your paradigms, your character, and your motives.
It says if you want to have a happy marriage, be the kind of person who generates positive energy and sidesteps negative energy rather than empowering it. If you want to have a more pleasant, cooperative teenager, be a more understanding, empathic, consistent, loving parent. If you want to have more freedom, more latitude in your job, be a more responsible, a more helpful, a more contributing employee. If you want to be trusted, be trustworthy. If you want the secondary greatness of recognized talent, focus first on primary greatness of character.

Independence is the paradigm of I—I can do it; I am responsible; I am self-reliant; I can choose.
Interdependence is the paradigm of we—we can do it; we can cooperate; we can combine our talents and abilities and create something greater together.
Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can get what they want through their own effort. Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success.

true effectiveness is a function of two things: what is produced (the golden eggs) and the producing asset or capacity to produce (the goose).

this philosophy was expressed in inspiring and sometimes valid maxims such as “Your attitude deter

perceptions are formed, how they govern the way we see, and how the way we see governs how we behave.

change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.

“Search your own heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life.”