--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Actually I did not invent the seven…" description: "\"Actually I did not invent the seven habits, they are universal principles and most of what I wrote about is just common sense. I am embarrassed when pe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/stephen-covey-339_business_actually-i-did-not-invent-the-seven-habi_1102640.png" --- # Actually I did not invent the seven habits, they are… ![“Actually I did not invent the seven habits, they are universal principles and most of what I wrote about is just common sense. I am embarrassed when people talk about the Covey Habits, and dislike the idea of being some sort of guru.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/stephen-covey-339_business_actually-i-did-not-invent-the-seven-habi_1102640.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/stephen-covey-339_business_actually-i-did-not-invent-the-seven-habi_1102640.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/stephen-covey-339_business_actually-i-did-not-invent-the-seven-habi_1102640.png) > “Actually I did not invent the seven habits, they are universal principles and most of what I wrote about is just common sense. I am embarrassed when people talk about the Covey Habits, and dislike the idea of being some sort of guru.” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Covey claims his habits are universal common sense, not a proprietary system, and rejects guru status. **In simple terms:** His habits are common sense, not a brand. Key Takeaway Focus on timeless principles, not personal branding. Themes humility universality self‑improvement Mood thoughtful encouraging Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - personal development workshops - coaching - self‑help literature - organizational training Key Concepts habit formation principle‑centered living Questions to Reflect On - Which habits feel most intuitive to you? - How can universal principles be adapted locally? A Different Perspective Common sense may be interpreted differently across cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-success/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-sense/) [Covey Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covey-habits-2897059/) [Dislike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dislike/) [Embarrassed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassed/) [Guru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guru/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Habits Dislike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits-dislike-2897057/) [Habits Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits-universal-2897058/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-talk/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Self help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-help/) [Self improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-improvement/) [Seven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seven/) [Seven habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seven-habits-167874/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal/) ## Related quotes > [It is one thing to make a mistake, and quite another thing not to admit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/it-is-one-thing-to-make-a-mistake-and-quite-another-thing-not-to-2/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Seven habits that help produce the anything-but-efficient markets that rule the world. 1. Think short term. 2. Be greedy. 3. Believe in the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-krugman/seven-habits-that-help-produce-the-anything-but-efficient-markets/) [Paul Krugman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-krugman/) > [Even when the urgent is good, the good can keep you from your best, keep you from your unique contribution, if you let it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/even-when-the-urgent-is-good-the-good-can-keep-you-from-your-best/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Always begin with the end in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-muth/always-begin-with-the-end-in-mind/) [Ellen Muth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-muth/) > [If you want to be trusted, be trustworthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-want-to-be-trusted-be-trustworthy/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“Instead of hiding under the covers, let’s do something about it. 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He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. 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True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. 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It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. 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