--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whenever you experience stress of any…" description: "\"Whenever you experience stress of any kind, look into yourself and ask, In what way am I compromising my innermost values in this situation?\" — Stephen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/stephen-covey-339_asks_whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-ki_771725.png" --- # Whenever you experience stress of any kind, look into… ![“Whenever you experience stress of any kind, look into yourself and ask, In what way am I compromising my innermost values in this situation?” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/stephen-covey-339_asks_whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-ki_771725.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/stephen-covey-339_asks_whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-ki_771725.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/stephen-covey-339_asks_whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-ki_771725.png) > “Whenever you experience stress of any kind, look into yourself and ask, In what way am I compromising my innermost values in this situation?” [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. Stress reveals hidden misalignments; examining personal values uncovers compromises. **In simple terms:** Check if stress means you betray your core values. Key Takeaway Align actions with values under pressure. Themes self-awareness integrity stress management Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical self‑help When to use this quote - personal crises - work conflict - relationship tension - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts values cognitive dissonance ethical decision making Questions to Reflect On - What values are most threatened when you feel stressed? - How can you protect those values in high‑pressure moments? A Different Perspective Values may be ambiguous, making self‑assessment difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) [Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [Everything I've done after football requires so much less focus, less work, less stress, it's kind of like a weight has been lifted off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/everything-i-ve-done-after-football-requires-so-much-less-focus-less/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [Frustration is a bad experience. What you have to stress is the satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pascal-bruckner/frustration-is-a-bad-experience-what-you-have-to-stress-is-the/) [Pascal Bruckner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pascal-bruckner/) > [When we experience stress, the nervous system tries to control things. Part of waking up is discovering what we are beyond that controlling organism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/when-we-experience-stress-the-nervous-system-tries-to-control-things/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Stress is never a given. There are people who get divorced amicably. There are people who pack up and move with no emotional toll.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stress-is-never-a-given-there-are-people-who-get-divorced-amicably/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At an individual level just as much as a corporate level, this notion of if you're not really passionate about the work you're doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagel-iii/at-an-individual-level-just-as-much-as-a-corporate-level-this-notion/) [John Hagel III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagel-iii/) > [The reason humans experience so much more stress than other species isn't just because we think more, but also because we think differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reason-humans-experience-so-much-more-stress-than-other-species/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In my experience, stress is the cause of all injury and pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobe-hanson/in-my-experience-stress-is-the-cause-of-all-injury-and-pain/) [Tobe Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobe-hanson/) > [If you are doing that which is within you, what that part of you that is beyond body would like you to do, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-are-doing-that-which-is-within-you-what-that-part-of-you-that/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The less you think counterfactually, the less you experience stress. Stress, in this light, isn't a bad thing. It's simply a warning system telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-less-you-think-counterfactually-the-less-you-experience-stress/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But we have to find ways of compromising when we disagree on something. You know what compromise is, right?" "Uh-huh. It's when you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/but-we-have-to-find-ways-of-compromising-when-we-disagree-on/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [In a relationship, when does the art of compromise become compromising?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/in-a-relationship-when-does-the-art-of-compromise-become-compromising/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [I don't think that independent or off-beat films are not commercial, nor do I want to categorise them. At the end of the day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-apte/i-don-t-think-that-independent-or-off-beat-films-are-not-commercial/) [Radhika Apte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-apte/) > [I've always said there is a boulevard that exists between compromising your principles and getting everything you want. Now, we should never compromise our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-christie/i-ve-always-said-there-is-a-boulevard-that-exists-between/) [Chris Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-christie/) > [I had a sort of bad experiences as a playwright early on, when directors were putting in huge concepts that I didn't intend, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rapp/i-had-a-sort-of-bad-experiences-as-a-playwright-early-on-when/) [Adam Rapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rapp/) > [I've done loads of collaborations and I'm never totally happy with the outcome because it feels like you're compromising something of yourself in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-mohawke/i-ve-done-loads-of-collaborations-and-i-m-never-totally-happy-with/) Hudson Mohawke ## 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 Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whenever you experience stress of any kind, look into yourself and ask, In what way am I compromising my innermost values in this situation?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-kind-look-into-yourself-and-ask/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asks" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-kind-look-into-yourself-and-ask/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/stephen-covey-339_asks_whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-ki_771725.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/stephen-covey-339_asks_whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-ki_771725.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ab/stephen-covey-339_asks_whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-ki_771725.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whenever you experience stress of any kind, look into yourself and ask, In what way am I compromising my…” — 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": "Whenever you experience stress of any...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-kind-look-into-yourself-and-ask/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/whenever-you-experience-stress-of-any-kind-look-into-yourself-and-ask/#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 } } ] } ```