Skip to main content

The 90/10 Principle - Stephen Covey

Please spend 10 minutes of your time to read. This 10 minutes is worth giving. It may serve to help us lead better lives. 90% of the happening or problems are due to us. Therefore, blame ourselves more than blame other people...

The 90/10 Principle by Stephen Covey

Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life.What is the 90/10 Principle?10% of life is mad e 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 what happened.What happens when the 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 spous e and criticize her forplacing 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 $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 terribly.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 the 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?A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off!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 no thing 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. There never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time.Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost.Life is a bore and often seems cruel.Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged. You can be different!

Understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It will change your life.
Have a Grrrreeeat Day & and even Grrrrrrrrreeeaaaater Tomorrow!!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Date

Here is beautiful story that touched my heart, trust you will enjoy reading it and then practice it too... After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you. The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. 'What's wrong, are you well,' she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. 'I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said, ‘I would like that very much.' That Friday after work, as I drove over to ...

Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar

No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice. Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to abright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car toopen the back passenger door for Harvey. He handed my friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.' Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment. This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wh...

80/20 rule

Read this and let it sink in forever and ever..... Interesting quote from the movie 'Why did I get married?' In most cases, especially in relationships, you will only get 80% ofwhat you NEED and you will hardly get the other 20% that you WANT inyour relationship. There is always another person (man or women) thatyou will meet and that will offer you the other 20% which is lackingin your relationship that you WANT And believe me, 20% looks reallygood when you are not getting it at all in your current relationship. But the problem is that you will always be tempted to leave that good80% that you know you have, thinking that you will get somethingbetter with the other 20% that you WANTBut as reality has proven, in most cases, you will always end up withhaving the 20% that you WANT and loosing the 80% that you really NEEDand that you already had.Be careful in deciding between what you WANT and NEED in your life. Adultery happens when you start looking for what you don't have. ...