--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I keep my phone number unlisted and rely…" description: "\"I keep my phone number unlisted and rely on my associates to handle all voice mail, e-mail, faxes.\" — Stephen Covey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/stephen-covey-339_associates_i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely_2113236.png" --- # I keep my phone number unlisted and rely on my associates… ![“I keep my phone number unlisted and rely on my associates to handle all voice mail, e-mail, faxes.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/stephen-covey-339_associates_i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely_2113236.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/stephen-covey-339_associates_i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely_2113236.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/stephen-covey-339_associates_i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely_2113236.png) > “I keep my phone number unlisted and rely on my associates to handle all voice mail, e-mail, faxes.” [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. Delegating communication tasks frees mental space for strategic work. **In simple terms:** Outsource routine messages. Key Takeaway Use assistants for routine communications. Themes delegation focus efficiency Mood reflective professional Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - executive leadership - personal productivity - small business Key Concepts time management boundary setting Questions to Reflect On - Which communications truly need your attention? - How do you balance delegation with presence? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance can reduce personal connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [You have to rely on yourself and your associates - gifts don't come from above; you're going to win them, or you won't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/you-have-to-rely-on-yourself-and-your-associates-gifts-don-t-come/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“The number of the devil is not 666. That is only his area code, his number is unlisted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-javerbaum/the-number-of-the-devil-is-not-666-that-is-only-his-area-code-his/) [David Javerbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-javerbaum/) > [“Age is a number, and mine is unlisted”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/age-is-a-number-and-mine-is-unlisted/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My age and my phone number are both unlisted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-osborne/my-age-and-my-phone-number-are-both-unlisted/) [Robert Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-osborne/) > [“Voice mail was invented by confident people to make unconfident people say stupid shit that gets taped and haunts us forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-king/voice-mail-was-invented-by-confident-people-to-make-unconfident/) [A.S. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-king/) > [“Right, then.” He pointed across to a bank of phones against the wall. “If you want to check your voice mail, now’s the time.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lee-carrell/right-then-he-pointed-across-to-a-bank-of-phones-against-the-wall-if/) [Jennifer Lee Carrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lee-carrell/) > [“One factor behind the decline of voice mail is that it represents a gesture of vulnerable intimacy among otherwise alienated modes of communication.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-factor-behind-the-decline-of-voice-mail-is-that-it-represents-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't even have voice mail, and people get all out of shape about that. But, you know what, I don't want to transcribe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-baker/i-don-t-even-have-voice-mail-and-people-get-all-out-of-shape-about/) [Anita Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-baker/) > [When the past calls, let it go to voice mail. It has nothing new to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-the-past-calls-let-it-go-to-voice-mail-it-has-nothing-new-to-say/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I try asking him some more questions, but it's like talking to voice mail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-montoure/i-try-asking-him-some-more-questions-but-it-s-like-talking-to-voice/) [Michael Montoure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-montoure/) > [If you are going to leave message, you have to be able to give enough value or reason to get your voice mail returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/if-you-are-going-to-leave-message-you-have-to-be-able-to-give-enough/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Leaving someone a voice mail is the new Myspace message.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/leaving-someone-a-voice-mail-is-the-new-myspace-message/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I call Theo and it goes to voice mail. “Hey, Theo, it’s Griff. I sort of need to talk to you about something big.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-silvera/i-call-theo-and-it-goes-to-voice-mail-hey-theo-it-s-griff-i-sort-of/) [Adam Silvera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-silvera/) > [People call me and always leave a voice mail to call them right back.. Who the hell are they ? That option is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/people-call-me-and-always-leave-a-voice-mail-to-call-them-right-back/) [Kevin McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/) > [\*Calling someone I don't want to answer\* \*Please go to voice mail. Please go to voice mail. Please go to voice mail..\* Hello? -\_\_\_-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/calling-someone-i-don-t-want-to-answer-please-go-to-voice-mail-please/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. 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. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... 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 Associates quotes > [ The young man \[Turgot\] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dickson-white/the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecclesiastical-career-was-placed/) [Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dickson-white/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [Deliver me from all evildoers that talk nothing but sickness and failure. Grant me the companionship of men who think success and men who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/deliver-me-from-all-evildoers-that-talk-nothing-but-sickness-and/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [I wanted to be a painter and an artist. And it's interesting that in some of my later musical works, I refer so often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunther-schuller/i-wanted-to-be-a-painter-and-an-artist-and-it-s-interesting-that-in/) [Gunther Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunther-schuller/) > [I don't wear makeup. I don't wash my hair every day. It's not something that I associate with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-kunis/i-don-t-wear-makeup-i-don-t-wash-my-hair-every-day-it-s-not-something/) [Mila Kunis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-kunis/) > [You can't really come into a concept record objectively, because you immediately associate it with Yes, stuff from the 1970s that punk rock kicked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-meloy/you-can-t-really-come-into-a-concept-record-objectively-because-you/) [Colin Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-meloy/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [In social networks, you gain and bestow status through those you associate with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-reilly/in-social-networks-you-gain-and-bestow-status-through-those-you/) [Tim O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-reilly/) > [Men take on the nature and the habits and the power of thought of those with whom they associate in a spirit of sympathy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/men-take-on-the-nature-and-the-habits-and-the-power-of-thought-of/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/the-less-you-associate-with-some-people-the-more-your-life-will/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [No adversity is in kind or degree peculiar to us; but if we survey the conditions of other men (of our brethren everywhere, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/no-adversity-is-in-kind-or-degree-peculiar-to-us-but-if-we-survey-the/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [Tantra is not sexual yoga. When the word tantra is used in the West, very often people immediately associate it with some kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/tantra-is-not-sexual-yoga-when-the-word-tantra-is-used-in-the-west/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [There are certainly times in history where power associates itself closely with fields that we would call the humanities, like rulers surrounding themselves with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-colla/there-are-certainly-times-in-history-where-power-associates-itself/) [Elliott Colla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-colla/) > [Surround yourself with people of like mind and different talents and temperaments with the purpose of serving the goals of every member of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-olson/surround-yourself-with-people-of-like-mind-and-different-talents-and/) [Jeff Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-olson/) > [The goose that lays golden eggs has been considered a most valuable possession. But even more profitable is the privilege of taking the golden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-d-brandeis/the-goose-that-lays-golden-eggs-has-been-considered-a-most-valuable/) [Louis D. Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) Browse all 471 Associates quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I keep my phone number unlisted and rely on my associates to handle all voice mail, e-mail, faxes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely-on-my-associates-to-handle/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Associates" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely-on-my-associates-to-handle/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/stephen-covey-339_associates_i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely_2113236.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/stephen-covey-339_associates_i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely_2113236.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/stephen-covey-339_associates_i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely_2113236.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I keep my phone number unlisted and rely on my associates to handle all voice mail, e-mail, faxes.” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen Covey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I keep my phone number unlisted...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely-on-my-associates-to-handle/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-keep-my-phone-number-unlisted-and-rely-on-my-associates-to-handle/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```