Finding Your Center (pg. 120-142)

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey emphasizes the importance of having a solid, unchanging core — a “center” — from which we derive security, guidance, wisdom, and power. This center acts as the foundation for a proactive, effective, and meaningful life.  

At the heart of Covey’s teachings is the concept of a personal mission statement, which he describes as a “personal constitution.” Just as the U.S. Constitution serves as the standard for evaluating laws, a personal mission statement provides a timeless foundation for making decisions aligned with our deepest values and principles. As Covey states, “People can’t live with change if there’s not a changeless core inside them.”  When your life is centered on unchanging principles, you gain clarity and consistency, even amid the chaos of modern life. 

The Four Life-Support Factors  

Covey identifies four critical life-support factors that stem from our center:  

– Security: Your sense of worth and self-esteem.  

– Guidance: Your internal compass for making decisions.  

– Wisdom: Your perspective and ability to see the bigger picture.  

– Power: Your capacity to act and make choices that align with your values.  

When these factors are harmonized, they create “the great force of a noble personality, a balanced character, a beautifully integrated individual.”  

Principle-Centered Living  

Covey argues that centering your life on principles — timeless truths that transcend people or circumstances — offers unparalleled stability. Unlike external sources such as wealth, pleasure, or social validation, principles are unchanging. He writes, “Principles don’t react to anything… They are tightly interwoven threads running with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength through the fabric of life.” By aligning our decisions with principles, we gain freedom and clarity. 

For example, Covey discusses a scenario where you must decide between attending a concert or staying late at work. A principle-centered person approaches this decision proactively:  

– They evaluate options based on their values, such as contributing to their company or nurturing relationships.  

– They make decisions consciously and without being driven by external pressures.  

– They communicate effectively with others and remain true to their long-term goals.  

This approach leads to decisions that feel meaningful and aligned with your life’s purpose, rather than reactive or based on fleeting emotions.  

Recognizing Your Current Center  

Most people fluctuate between different “centers” — family, work, possessions, pleasure, or even self-centeredness. Covey warns that living from inconsistent or external centers creates a sense of instability, much like a roller coaster.  

“The ideal, of course, is to create one clear center from which you consistently derive a high degree of security, guidance, wisdom, and power.”  

To uncover your current center, reflect on the driving forces behind your decisions. Are they rooted in principles, or do they stem from fear, societal expectations, or the pursuit of short-term pleasure?  

Creating a Mission Statement  

A personal mission statement gives you the clarity to live proactively, with your decisions grounded in what matters most. Covey explains: “You have the power of a written constitution based on correct principles, against which every decision concerning the most effective use of your time, your talents, and your energies can be effectively measured.”  

Taking the time to craft a mission statement enables you to focus on your character, contributions, and values. It empowers you to flow with life’s changes, secure in the knowledge that your core is solid and unchanging. On January 13th, we’ll cover pages 142-151 and get an in-depth look at how to create your own Personal Mission Statement!

Questions to Ponder  

1. What would you say is the center of your life right now? Does it align with your values?  
2. How might a personal mission statement help you make more intentional decisions?  
3. When faced with conflicting priorities, how do you ensure your decisions align with your long-term values?