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The 90/10 Principle
Author: Stephen Covey
Have you read this before?
Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the
way you react to situations). What is this principle?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided
by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over
10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down.
The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off.
A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%.
The other 90% is different.
You determine the other 90%.
How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can
control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how
you react.
Let's use an example.
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a
cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what
just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.
You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over.
She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse
and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the
table. A short verbal battle follows.
You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find
your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get
ready for school. She misses the bus.
Your spouse must leave immediately for work.
You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are
late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a
15-minute delay and throwing a $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at
school.
Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.
After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your
briefcase. Your day has started out terrible. As it continues, it
seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When
you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your
spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is " D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee.
How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say,
"It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing
a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your
briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and
see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5
minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on
how good a day you are having.
Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.
Why? Because of how you REACTED.
You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other
90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge.
Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the
negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your
day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired,
getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic?
Do you lose your temper?
Pound on the steering wheel?
Do you curse?
Does your blood pressure skyrocket?
Do you try and bump them?
WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin
your drive?
Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It
will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another
job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day.
Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no
control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the
other passenger.
Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the
90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You
will lose nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this
principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from
undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache.
Try to apply the 90/10 principle - it could change your life!
 fytingfish · Sat May 14, 2005 @ 10:36am · 0 Comments |
