The 90/10 Principle

The 90/10 Principle
We can all learn from this. Most of us are â€oeReactionariesâ. If we try
to reflect and stay calm we could probably avoid most of our stresses in
life.
The 90/10 Principle By Steven Covey
Author of bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) 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. However, you can
control your reaction. Do not let people fool you; YOU can control how
you react.
Let us 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 zone. 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, do not be a sponge. Let
the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not 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 to 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 are you 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!
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