Author: Stephen Covey
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 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.
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, 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 outpour 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!!!
Enjoy….
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Faith Remains...
Story told by a man which is most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.
He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on:
"Fasten your seat belts."
Then, after a while, a calm voice said,
"We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.
The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book.
Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid."
The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.
The sweet child replied,
"Sir, my Dad is the pilot,
And he is taking me home."
He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on:
"Fasten your seat belts."
Then, after a while, a calm voice said,
"We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.
The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book.
Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid."
The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.
The sweet child replied,
"Sir, my Dad is the pilot,
And he is taking me home."
A Nice Touching Love Story .....
From the very beginning, girl's family objected strongly on her dating this
guy, saying that it has got to do with family background, & that the girl
will have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him.
Due to family's pressure, the couple quarrelled very often. Though the girl
loved the guy deeply, she always asked him: "How deep is your love for me?"
As the guy is not good with his words, this often caused the girl to be very
upset. With that & the family's pressure, the gal often vents her anger on
him. As for him.. he only endured it in silence.
After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated & decided to further his
studies overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the gal: "I'm not very good
with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take
care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I'll try my best to
talk them round. Will you marry me?"
The girl agreed, & with the guy's determination, the family finally gave in
& agreed to let them get married. So before he left, they got engaged.
The gal went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas,
continuing his studies. They sent their love through emails & phone calls.
Though it was hard, but both never thought of giving up.
One day, while the gal was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car
that lost control. when she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She
realized that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum cry, she wanted to
comfort her. But she rea! lized that all that could come out of her mouth
was just a sigh. she had lost her voice....
The doctor says that the impact on her brain has caused her to lose her
voice. Listening to her parents' comfort, but with nothing coming out from
her, she broke down. During the stay in hospital, besides silent cry.. it's
still just silent cry that accompanied her. Upon reaching home, everything
seems to be the same. Except for the ringing tone of the phone which pierced
into her heart everytime it rang. She does not wish to let the guy know &
not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she
does not wish to wait any longer.
With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions &
millions of reply and countless phonecalls.. all the gal could do besides
crying is still crying.... T! he parents decided to
move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be happy.
With a new environment, the gal learnt sign language & started a new life.
Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her friend
came & told her that he's back. She asked her friend not to let him know
what happened to her. Since then, there wasn't anymore news of him.
A year has passed & her friend came with an envelope, containing an
invitation card for the guy's wedding. The gal was shattered. When she
opened the letter, she saw her name on it instead. When she was about to ask
her friend what was going on, she saw the guy standing in front
of her....
He used sign language to tell her, "I've spent a year to learn sign
language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise. Let me
have the! chance to be your voice. I Love You." With that, he slipped the
ring back into her finger. The gal finally smiled......
===================================================================
Treat every relationship as if it's the last one, then you'll know how to
Give.
Treat every moment as if it's the last day, then you'll know how to
Treasure.
Treasure what you have right now, or else you may regret one day...
===================================================================
guy, saying that it has got to do with family background, & that the girl
will have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him.
Due to family's pressure, the couple quarrelled very often. Though the girl
loved the guy deeply, she always asked him: "How deep is your love for me?"
As the guy is not good with his words, this often caused the girl to be very
upset. With that & the family's pressure, the gal often vents her anger on
him. As for him.. he only endured it in silence.
After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated & decided to further his
studies overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the gal: "I'm not very good
with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take
care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I'll try my best to
talk them round. Will you marry me?"
The girl agreed, & with the guy's determination, the family finally gave in
& agreed to let them get married. So before he left, they got engaged.
The gal went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas,
continuing his studies. They sent their love through emails & phone calls.
Though it was hard, but both never thought of giving up.
One day, while the gal was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car
that lost control. when she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She
realized that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum cry, she wanted to
comfort her. But she rea! lized that all that could come out of her mouth
was just a sigh. she had lost her voice....
The doctor says that the impact on her brain has caused her to lose her
voice. Listening to her parents' comfort, but with nothing coming out from
her, she broke down. During the stay in hospital, besides silent cry.. it's
still just silent cry that accompanied her. Upon reaching home, everything
seems to be the same. Except for the ringing tone of the phone which pierced
into her heart everytime it rang. She does not wish to let the guy know &
not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she
does not wish to wait any longer.
With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions &
millions of reply and countless phonecalls.. all the gal could do besides
crying is still crying.... T! he parents decided to
move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be happy.
With a new environment, the gal learnt sign language & started a new life.
Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her friend
came & told her that he's back. She asked her friend not to let him know
what happened to her. Since then, there wasn't anymore news of him.
A year has passed & her friend came with an envelope, containing an
invitation card for the guy's wedding. The gal was shattered. When she
opened the letter, she saw her name on it instead. When she was about to ask
her friend what was going on, she saw the guy standing in front
of her....
He used sign language to tell her, "I've spent a year to learn sign
language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise. Let me
have the! chance to be your voice. I Love You." With that, he slipped the
ring back into her finger. The gal finally smiled......
===================================================================
Treat every relationship as if it's the last one, then you'll know how to
Give.
Treat every moment as if it's the last day, then you'll know how to
Treasure.
Treasure what you have right now, or else you may regret one day...
===================================================================
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