To Be, Not to Seem. Reflections on True Success

Previously unpublished thoughts and ideas of Stephen Covey, author of the legendary book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People".

How many of us prefer to highlight what actually means nothing?
How many of us allow our own hidden interests to take... precedence over those whom we are responsible for?
And are we not more compassionate and fair to strangers than to our own loved ones — those people who mean much more to us than outsiders?
Do we not sacrifice lasting success for fleeting success? And do we truly value outward shine, the glitter of success, above the world within and the satisfaction from the real benefit we can bring?

Stephen Covey believed that true greatness is a success that accompanies a genuine contribution from a person. In contrast, external signs of success — social status, popularity, image — are essentially false greatness. And when you observe the actions and behaviors of celebrities, well-known athletes, big bosses, movie actors, and other similar figures, you see the sparkle of false greatness.
True greatness is within; it is not immediately apparent. True greatness lies in the very essence of a person. False greatness is superficial.
The lives of many of us are full of problems, disappointments, and dissatisfaction. But what is presented as a "solution" is actually just some superficial means. This book offers a real healing in a world dominated by painkillers.

From the introduction by Sean Covey:

This book is a collection of some of my father's essays — they have never been published in books before and are not as well known as some of his other works.
But this is the "real Stephen Covey," because these essays represent the best examples of his reflections. That's why my colleagues and I felt it necessary to share them with the world. I write this preface three years after my father's passing.
But in these essays, his voice remains — deep, penetrating. In preparing them for publication, we changed almost nothing — they remain as they were, just having come from his pen. We simply arranged them in a way that would tell a consistent story of how to live a life filled with true greatness.
Some of these essays were written when my father was working on "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," and it is amazing to see how what he first articulated in these drafts later transformed into ideas that changed the world of business and the lives of millions. And yet, this is not a variation of "The 7 Habits."
In this book, you will encounter amazing and inspiring reflections on how to shift from the cheap glitter of what is called "success" to a meaningful life full of peace, satisfaction, and wisdom.

Who this book is for:

For everyone who wants to be, not to seem.
For fans of the creativity and wisdom of Stephen Covey.