The 90/10 Principle

[Net Prince]

*The 90/10 Principle
Author : Stephen Covey ( Management Guru)

*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.Youcurse. 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.Theplane 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!!!