QuoteProject
You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically, to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger “yes” burning inside. The enemy of the “best” is often the “good.
Stephen Covey
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Prioritizing what is truly important in life requires courage to say no to lesser things.

This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and committing to our highest priorities in life. Stephen Covey suggests that in order to achieve our best outcomes, we must have the courage to decline distractions and lesser opportunities, highlighting that simply being good at many things can detract from attaining our greatest goals.

Themes

PrioritiesCourageDecisionFocusSuccess

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech on time management.

More from Stephen Covey

How many on their deathbeds wished they'd spent more time at the office - or watching TV? The answer is, No one.
Stephen CoveyRead
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.
Stephen CoveyRead
Listen with your eyes for feelings.
Stephen CoveyRead
If we live out of our memory, we're tied to the past and to that which is finite. When we live out of our imagination, _x000D_ we're tied to that which is infinite.
Stephen CoveyRead
Synergy is the highest activity of life; it creates new untapped alternatives; it values and exploits the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people.
Stephen CoveyRead
Keep in mind that you are always saying "no" to something. If it isn't to the apparent and urgent things in your life, it is probably to the most fundamental, highly important things.
Stephen CoveyRead

Similar quotes

Virtue is an angel, but she is a blind one, and must ask Knowledge to show her the pathway that leads to her goal.
Horace MannRead
The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.
DemosthenesRead
All is not gold that glitters, as we have often been told; and the adage is verified in your place and my favour; but if what happens does not make us richer, we must bid it welcome, if it makes us wiser.
Samuel JohnsonRead
She was not too young to be wise, but she was too young to know that wisdom shouldn't be spoken aloud when you are happy.
Graham GreeneRead
All you have to do, I tell myself, is keep your mouth shut and look stupid. It shouldn't be that hard.
Margaret AtwoodRead
Worldly Wisdom Do not stay in the field! Nor climb out of sight. The best view of the world Is from a medium height.
Friedrich NietzscheRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Stephen Covey | QuoteProject