What Happens When You Start Living on Principle

There are books that entertain, books that inform, and then there are books that completely rewire how you see the world. Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People did that for me.

It was the first book I really studied. I read everything Covey ever published. His ideas around ownership, mindset, personal responsibility, and living with intention reshaped how I thought about success and leadership.

In fact, it shaped me so much, Chelsea and I named our third child Covey.

This solo episode kicks off a multi-part breakdown of Covey’s framework, starting with the first three habits. These aren’t surface-level tips. These are the core ideas that helped me go from surviving to thriving.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here.

Habit 1: Be Proactive

This one is foundational. The world teaches us to blame circumstances. Covey flips that script.

Between stimulus and response, there’s a space. That space is where your power lies. When you internalize this, you stop playing victim and start taking full responsibility.

I’ve seen this in my own life and in others. The most effective people I know bring their own weather. They choose how they show up regardless of what’s happening around them.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

If you’re truly free to choose, you’ve got to decide what you actually want.

Most people never stop to ask that question. They’re busy climbing a ladder that’s leaning against the wrong wall. I’ve been there.

The solution? Get crystal clear on where you want to go. Visualize it. Write it down. Speak it into existence.

Covey says, “Live out of your imagination, not your history.” That single idea can change the trajectory of your life.

I’ve seen it firsthand. My 10-year-old daughter Covey had a tough ski race. We did a visualization together the night before her next one. She nailed it. Not because of luck but because she had a clear mental picture of what success looked like before she ever hit the mountain.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Once you know what you want, the game becomes prioritization. What are the 20% of things that will drive 80% of your results?

Most people get stuck in urgency. They spend their days reacting, putting out fires, checking boxes. But the magic happens in quadrant two important but not urgent.

Your health. Your relationships. Your long-term goals. These things don’t scream for attention, but they matter more than anything else.

I’ve found that the most effective people I know ask one powerful question every day: What’s the most important thing I can do right now to move closer to what matters most?

🎧 Listen to the full episode here.