The 90/10 Principle by Stephen Covey

Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life. What is the 90/10Principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life isdecided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no controlover 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. Adriver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. Theother 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 letpeople 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 cupof coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what justhappened. 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 andcriticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. Ashort verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Backdownstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finishbreakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse mustleave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter toschool. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speedlimit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, youarrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without sayinggoodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgotyour briefcase. Your day has started terribly. As it continues, it seems toget 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 gentlysay,"It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time." Grabbinga 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 childgetting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early andcheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you arehaving.

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 theattack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negativecomment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrongreaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed outetc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose yourtemper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheelfall off! Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try andbump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let thecars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry aboutit.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It willwork 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 takeout your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get toknow the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make thingsworse.

Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at theresults. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle isincredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions ofpeople are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache.There never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terriblethings seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress, lack ofjoy, and broken relationships.

Worry consumes time. Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and isnot enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost.
Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do notbe discouraged. You can be different! Understand and apply the 90/10principle. It will change your life!!