I’ll be honest: this chapter felt challenging at first.
Why? Because it forced me to think about something I rarely consider—my own death.
Most of us assume it’s far, far away. I was no different. But Stephen R. Covey asks a piercing question in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
“At your funeral, what would you want people to say about you?”
That question hit me like lightning.
If I were gone tomorrow, how would my parents, my wife, my coworkers, even my readers describe me? Would they speak with pride? Would they remember me as someone who truly lived by his values?
The uncomfortable truth: I wasn’t sure. And that realization shook me.
But here’s the hope—while we can’t change the past, we can change the future. Starting now.
Mission Statement – Your Personal Constitution
The tool Covey gives us for this transformation is the Mission Statement—your personal constitution.
By writing down your deepest values and vision, you create a compass that guides every decision. When the end comes, you’ll know you’ve lived with integrity.
Here’s a part of my own Mission Statement:
- To be a light for others
- To live with integrity, honesty, and gratitude
- To bring joy and kindness to those around me
- To respect my children as individuals and earn their respect in return
- To avoid gossip, and instead uplift the vulnerable with courage and kindness
- To deliver maximum results with minimal wasted effort
- To connect globally through English and leave a meaningful legacy
- To keep challenging myself and learning continuously
- To listen fully, without rushing to judge
Writing this down clarified the person I want to become. It was like drawing my life’s blueprint.
Everything Is Created Twice
Covey introduces a powerful principle: everything is created twice.
- First in the mind (intellectual creation).
- Then in reality (physical creation).
Think of building a house: you first design it on paper, then you construct it. Life is no different. Without a clear design, we drift and end up somewhere we never intended.
Habit 1 taught us: “You are the creator.”
Habit 2 builds on this: “You must create the first vision.”
In other words, design your life intentionally, or someone else will design it for you.
Applying It to Family and Organizations
This habit isn’t just personal—it can transform families and organizations.
Covey’s family created a Family Mission Statement together, revisiting it twice a year. Everyone had a voice, so the values weren’t imposed—they were owned.
Imagine what would happen if every family did this. Fewer fights about trivial issues, and more focus on what really matters. I’m inspired to create one with my own family.
Covey also shares a story about a hotel that developed its mission statement with input from every employee. The result? Service so genuine and consistent that it flowed from the ground up—not from management down.
Contrast that with many companies today, where “mission statements” are written by executives and ignored by staff. The difference is night and day.
If I ever get the chance to lead such a process, I’ll make sure everyone contributes. That’s the only way for a mission to truly live in an organization.
Living with the End in Mind
Yes, this chapter might feel uncomfortable. Imagining your funeral is not easy.
But that’s precisely why it’s powerful.
By beginning with the end in mind, we can ensure that each step today aligns with the legacy we want to leave.
So let me ask you:
If your life ended tomorrow, what would people say about you?
Your answer is the blueprint for how you should live today.
Next, we’ll explore Habit 3: Put First Things First—the ultimate habit of execution.
Stay tuned—it’s where priorities meet action.
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