The 90/10 Principle by Stephen Covey

Stephen Covey has brought revolutionary ideas in self-help. In case you are wondering, the magical moment will be revealed here. Let us discover the 90/10 Principle and tesify for yourself how it can change the way you react to situations. Read on..

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? Do you try and bump them?
A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off.
Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket?

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!!!

GooD MorninG SunShine!

It's early in the morning and I am awake.. sending my greeting to all of you. May you have a great day filled with laughter and sun shining along your way!

My gift to you.. a SunFlower! *cheers*

Before you...

Before you speak.....listen
Often, we speak more than we would listen. On the other hand, some tend to be very defensive or silent, not letting out any thought. Learning when to speak and listen is indeed a challenge to most people.

Before you write.....think
Little did we realise that the pen is the tongue of one's mind. Nowadays, with just a click of a button, what you write can be read across the globe. Thus, before you write in anger or frustation, think hard - that's because the pen is mightier than the sword.

Before you spend.....earn
Any working adult will know how tough it is to earn a penny, but any child will know how to spend it. Be wise with money and secure a financial plan for your future. Prepare an umbrella before it rains.  

Before you criticize.....wait
The best thing we can do is to criticize. The next time you want to do just that, count to 10. Anger management works when you co-operate with your inner feelings.

Before you pray.....forgive
Forgive and forget, that's the way to live. I mean, this world is full of lies and deceits. How many percentage of the world's population of honest people still living around?

Before you quit.....try
When everything that you are doing seems all uphill, rest if you must, but don't you quit. Try, try harder, and harder!!

Caltex Neighbourhood Rewards Program - Somber petrol station dealers!

Do you fill your car petrol at Caltex service stations? Have you ever heard about the Caltex Neighbourhood Rewards Program? It works like this: Pump RM30 petrol at participating stations and receive 1 sticker. Collect the stickers to redeem gifts. Mamee instant cup noodle for 5 stickers, Breeze detergent powder for 15 stickers and so on.

I got this picture from the Caltex website: http://www.caltex.com/my/en/PumpCollectWin

Being a loyal customer of Caltex, I managed to collect stickers thoughout the promotional period. However, much to my distress, I never had a pleasant time in several attempts of redeeming the so-called rewards. Let me share my personal experience:

I politely asked, "Hi, boleh saya tukar dishwashing liquid?"

Attempt 1
"Stok sudah habis, datang lagi esok."

I went to the station the next day...
Attempt 2
"Stok sudah habis." "Bila ada stok?" "Tak tahu."

I drove to another Caltex station...
Attempt 3
"Stok sudah habis, pergi stesen lain tukar la."

Finally to yet another station...
Attempt 4
The counter attendant who did not utter any words (like good afternoon) and showing a sour face handed me the gift! Oh yessss.. finally!!!!

It seems like I needed to beg and beg and beg in order to redeem a bottle of dishwashing liquid where I could have bought it from a supermarket for just few dollars rather than filling petrol for at least RM450 to obtain 15 stickers!

I wished stations managers, owners or dealers would spend more effort to improve on customer service, which needs no additional cost to your business but brings more profit and sales! Be courteous to customers and wear a smile! At this era of modernisation where competition is intense, good customer service serves as competitive advantage!