Dear Friends,
Discover the 90/10 Principle from Steven Covey
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 $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 terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and
worse. You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find 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, "Its
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 our 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. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.
It CAN change your life!!!
Enjoy one of the few chain mails that are worth passing on. Just delete my
signature and add yours when you forward.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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