---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who create a great career for…"
description: "\"Those who create a great career for themselves are those who make the time to define their contribution and plan how they will achieve it\" — Stephen Covey"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/127/stephen-covey-339_career_those-who-create-a-great-career-for-them_2383716.png"
---

#  Those who create a great career for themselves are those…

![“Those who create a great career for themselves are those who make the time to define their contribution and plan how they will achieve it” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/127/stephen-covey-339_career_those-who-create-a-great-career-for-them_2383716.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/127/stephen-covey-339_career_those-who-create-a-great-career-for-them_2383716.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/127/stephen-covey-339_career_those-who-create-a-great-career-for-them_2383716.png)

> “Those who create a great career for themselves are those who make the time to define their contribution and plan how they will achieve it”

[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.

Successful careers stem from intentional self‑definition and strategic planning of one’s unique contribution.

**In simple terms:** Define yourself and plan your impact.

Key Takeaway

Clarify your purpose and map a path.

Themes

career development self‑management strategic planning

Mood

focused determined

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- job interviews
- career transitions
- performance reviews
- entrepreneurial ventures

Key Concepts

personal branding goal setting visioning

Questions to Reflect On

- What unique value do you bring?
- How will you measure progress?

A Different Perspective

May overlook external constraints or market shifts.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Career Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career-make-634976/) [Create Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create-great-451778/) [Define Contribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define-contribution-5912494/) [Great career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-career/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [There is an idea that at some point in your career, you 'make it.' I understand the theory of 'making it.' I don't exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coy-bowles/there-is-an-idea-that-at-some-point-in-your-career-you-make-it-i/)

[Coy Bowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coy-bowles/)

> [Assume any career move you make won't go smoothly. They won't. But don't look back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-grove/assume-any-career-move-you-make-won-t-go-smoothly-they-won-t-but-don/)

[Andy Grove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-grove/)

> [If you want to make something happen in your life or career, well then you make and find the time. Simple as that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-purdy/if-you-want-to-make-something-happen-in-your-life-or-career-well-then/)

[Ashley Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-purdy/)

> [The secret of a successful art career is to make more art that folks think they need than pieces they just want. When a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-white/the-secret-of-a-successful-art-career-is-to-make-more-art-that-folks/)

[Jack White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-white/)

> [You just want to be able to have a nice career and make a living at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-palmeiro/you-just-want-to-be-able-to-have-a-nice-career-and-make-a-living-at-it/)

[Rafael Palmeiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-palmeiro/)

> [I'm grateful for the things I've faced in my career because they make me better - every single one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-votto/i-m-grateful-for-the-things-i-ve-faced-in-my-career-because-they-make/)

[Joey Votto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-votto/)

> [It was a conscious choice, to build my own career, to make a name for myself. Another issue here, of course, is that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/it-was-a-conscious-choice-to-build-my-own-career-to-make-a-name-for/)

[Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/)

> [During your career, you have to make decisions. Sometimes maybe you don't make such a good decision and at the end you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-babel/during-your-career-you-have-to-make-decisions-sometimes-maybe-you-don/)

[Ryan Babel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-babel/)

> [I always want to do things in my career that would make people proud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skai-jackson/i-always-want-to-do-things-in-my-career-that-would-make-people-proud/)

[Skai Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skai-jackson/)

> [If I had a choice as to my perfect career, I would make a couple of films a year and then concentrate on natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-monaghan/if-i-had-a-choice-as-to-my-perfect-career-i-would-make-a-couple-of/)

[Dominic Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-monaghan/)

> [A job is how you make money. A career is how you make your mark. A calling is how you acknowledge a higher vision,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/a-job-is-how-you-make-money-a-career-is-how-you-make-your-mark-a/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [There are so many drag queens on 'Drag Race.' In order to have a fulfilling career, you have to do well on the show.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-chachki/there-are-so-many-drag-queens-on-drag-race-in-order-to-have-a/)

[Violet Chachki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-chachki/)

> [It doesn't matter how many people say 'well, everyone makes mistakes Ricky, you've had a great career you should be proud of yourself' but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-hatton/it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-people-say-well-everyone-makes-mistakes/)

[Ricky Hatton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-hatton/)

> [Great people create great acts of kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/great-people-create-great-acts-of-kindness/)

[Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/)

> [The ability of our people to think quickly and create great products in this whole new world of Internet open standards is not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-ability-of-our-people-to-think-quickly-and-create-great-products/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## 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 Career quotes

> [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/)

[Alison James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-james/)

> [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/)

[Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/)

[Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/)

> [There are so many things you can do with your life, you can go to school and study toward your career, you can become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/there-are-so-many-things-you-can-do-with-your-life-you-can-go-to/)

[Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/)

> [I always knew I wanted to have a good career, so I made it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-have-a-good-career-so-i-made-it-happen/)

[Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/)

> [I am a very big fan of Brian Eno, of his work as an artist and making his music, and as a producer. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-am-a-very-big-fan-of-brian-eno-of-his-work-as-an-artist-and-making/)

[Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/)

> [If I can beat a proven champion like Canelo, that will take my career to a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/if-i-can-beat-a-proven-champion-like-canelo-that-will-take-my-career/)

[Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/)

> [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/)

[Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/)

> [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/)

[John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/)

> [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/)

[Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/)

> [You can have a career and kids who love you. But you have to nurture yourself and find a way to be fulfilled so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-reitman/you-can-have-a-career-and-kids-who-love-you-but-you-have-to-nurture/)

[Catherine Reitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-reitman/)

> [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [Even though I'm already successful and have a career, it is always good to have your eggs in more than one basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-abraham/even-though-i-m-already-successful-and-have-a-career-it-is-always/)

[Farrah Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-abraham/)

[Browse all 11,387 Career quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Those who create a great career for themselves are those who make the time to define their contribution and plan how they will achieve it",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Stephen Covey"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/those-who-create-a-great-career-for-themselves-are-those-who-make-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Career"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/those-who-create-a-great-career-for-themselves-are-those-who-make-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/127/stephen-covey-339_career_those-who-create-a-great-career-for-them_2383716.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/127/stephen-covey-339_career_those-who-create-a-great-career-for-them_2383716.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/127/stephen-covey-339_career_those-who-create-a-great-career-for-them_2383716.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Those who create a great career for themselves are those who make the time to define their contribution and…” — 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": "Those who create a great career...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/those-who-create-a-great-career-for-themselves-are-those-who-make-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/those-who-create-a-great-career-for-themselves-are-those-who-make-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
