This is a chapter-by-chapter summary of a book by late Stephen R. Covey, writer of the most-effective personal development book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (first published 1989). One chapter, one article. Read this summary, buy the book. Grow!
“To live a more balanced existence, you have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay. There's no need to overextend yourself. All it takes is realizing that it's all right to say no when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities.”
(Stephen R. Covey)
“Habit 3 is the personal fruit, the practical fulfillment of Habits 1 and 2.” What we’ve gained from Habits 1 (Be Proactive) and 2 (Begin With End in Mind) was how to react to our problems, fully understand ourselves and the goal we have in our life. Habit 3 is about learning to manage ourselves effectively by putting first things first in order to achieve that goal. This is what will give birth to a strong ‘Yes’ inside you that will give you the courage to say ‘No’ to other things.
First of all, we should categorize our activities and focus on specific ones. Covey uses Dwight Eisenhower’s tool for that:
Quadrant 1: Important and Urgent (Manage)
such as pressing matters, deadline-driven missions, crises, etc.
such as pressing matters, deadline-driven missions, crises, etc.
Quadrant 2: Important not Urgent (Focus)
like building relationships, planning, recognizing new opportunities, etc.
like building relationships, planning, recognizing new opportunities, etc.
Quadrant 3: Urgent not Important (Avoid)
such as events that interrupt other events, meetings, etc.
such as events that interrupt other events, meetings, etc.
Quadrant 4: Not Important or Urgent (Limit)
like addicted to social media, excessive entertainments, etc.
like addicted to social media, excessive entertainments, etc.
An effective and proactive person would prioritize dealing with not urgent but at the same time important activities. As a matter of fact, Quadrant 2 has many advantages when it is arranged properly. As long as you effectively keep dealing with it, Quadrant 1 will shrink, making your everyday life easier and less pressured. Quadrant 3, while it’s urgent, it’s not important which means that it’s not a big deal to neglect it. Quadrant 4 is usually for irresponsible individuals to prioritize.
Put First Things First is Very Important – What’s Your Priority?
So important that Covey wrote another book entitled First Things First
So important that Covey wrote another book entitled First Things First
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