According to **Stephen Covey**, values are the deeply held principles and standards that guide a person’s behavior and decision-making. They represent what an individual considers to be most important in life—the core beliefs that shape how one interacts with the world and evaluates success. Covey, especially in **The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People**, emphasizes that values are personal and subjective, but they need to be aligned with what he calls **“principles”**—timeless, universal truths like fairness, integrity, honesty, and respect. Here’s a breakdown of Covey’s view on values: ### **1. Values = What Matters Most to You** - Values reflect your priorities—what you stand for. - They define how you measure success and fulfillment. - Examples: Family, Faith, Integrity, Excellence, Service, Health. ### **2. Principles vs. Values** Covey draws a distinction between **principles** and **values**: - **Values**: Internal, personal, subjective. You choose them. - **Principles**: External, unchanging, objective. They govern outcomes (like gravity governs falling). You can have values that may not align with principles (e.g., valuing power over people), but **long-term effectiveness comes from aligning values with principles** like fairness, honesty, and respect. ### **3. Values Reflect Your Character and Purpose** - They represent your character and what kind of person you want to be. - They help define your mission in life—what Covey calls **“beginning with the end in mind”** (Habit 2). - Values become the compass for decision-making, especially in tough situations. ### **4. Values Help You Prioritize** - When your values are clear, it becomes easier to manage your time and energy according to **what is truly important** (Habit 3: **Put First Things First**). - Values clarify what is **important vs. urgent**, so you can focus on Quadrant II activities (important but not urgent) like relationships, personal growth, and planning. > [!NOTE] Key Covey Quote on Values & Principles: > “Principles are natural laws that govern human effectiveness. Values are the maps we create to navigate our lives. If our values are aligned with correct principles, they will empower us to be effective.”