The 90/10 Principle which affects our life

Originally written by : 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 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 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, “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 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!!!

Regards