Hey there! Are you in that mode of life where you're running around like a headless chicken, hustling through chaos, trying to balance breakfast, emails and find matching socks, while also juggling an angry boss and demanding kids, and yet, somehow feeling like you're missing the plot? We've all been there. When that to-do list feels more like a burden than a guide. That's the moment when Stephen R. Covey, joined by the power duo of Roger and Rebecca Merrill, hand out not just another time management manual; they're passing on the secret sauce for a more happier, fulfilling life, encouraging you to take a breather and rethink your game plan.
"First Things First" is not about doing more; it's about doing what matters. The authors get real with us, sharing relatable stories that hit home. So, grab a seat and dive into "First Things First" with us. Because life's too short for a never-ending to-do list that leaves you wondering, "What was the point again?" Let's make it count!
Summary
Life's a juggling act, right? Balls flying, stress climbing, and you're just trying to keep it all from crashing. But what if you stopped spinning and started choosing?
Instead of chasing every urgent ping, focus on what truly matters: those big dreams, those deep connections - and set goals accordingly. . Picture your future self, smiling. What steps get you there? Make those steps your priority. Breathe, plan, and watch the pressure ease. When you juggle with purpose, you discover the magic of living well: happiness, calm, inner peace, and the freedom to enjoy the ride.
The Clock and the Compass
Imagine a world where we have 48 hours in a day instead of the usual 24. Wouldn’t it be great? You'll have more time to accomplish just about anything! But, before you answer an enthusiastic “yes”, consider this: what if this relentless fixation on efficiency is not as awesome as you think? Our world is fixated on crossing off the items in the to-do list. It revolves around “the clock” – representing rigid schedules and calendars. Most of us would...
Put “What’s Important” Before “What’s Urgent”
Remember the days of sticky notes and endless checkboxes? That was time management 1.0. Then came calendars and color-coded schedules, a step up, but still feeling a bit… forced. And finally, there's time management 3.0 – all about goals and daily planning. But here's the thing: even with these systems, something often feels missing, much like being on the Titanic – things look neat, but you're still sinking.That's where time management 4.0 comes in! 4.0 embraces the good of checklists,...
Unlock “What Matters Most”
Do you feel pulled in a million directions? We all do! To counter it, find your true north – the unwavering internal compass that guides your decisions, goals, and overall direction. Your personal mission statement. Think of it as a superhero manifesto for your life, revealing:Your superpower: What unique talents do you bring to the world?Your purpose: What higher goal excites your soul beyond just yourself?Your balanced needs: From body and mind to soul and connection, what fulfills you in...
The four areas of human needs
Here’s how Abraham Maslow categorizes these needs:First, Physical Needs: We gotta stay alive, right? That means food, clothing, shelter, economic well-being, health. Physical needs are followed by Social Needs: the need to love and be loved, to belong, and to relate. When both the needs are satisfied, then come the Mental Needs: We all need to learn new things. It keeps our brains buzzing and opens up the world. Only when these fundamental needs are taken care of can we...
Let Hopes Meet Uncompromising Principles!
Remember that time you aced that big interview you prepared for weeks? Felt amazing, right? But what if, once the dust settled, you realized the dream job it unlocked wasn't what you expected? Turns out, achieving goals isn't always sunshine and rainbows.Like the Chinese One-Child Policy which was implemented in 1979 to curb population growth. It achieved its goal but led to an imbalanced gender ratio (more boys than girls), an aging population with insufficient social support, and ethical concerns...
How to Put “First Things” First?
What is the time management matrix? Imagine your calendar as a pot. Plant your "big rocks" first – that’s the non-urgent but deeply important goals. Then, sprinkle in the "gravel" of urgent and meaningful tasks. Fill the remaining cracks with "sand" – the urgent but less meaningful tasks. Finally, watch the "water" of unimportant, non-urgent matters gently filling in the remaining space. With the big non-urgent important rocks anchoring your life, watch the remaining space transform into a thriving space...
Stay True to Your Goals
Now you know that having strong principles makes it way easier to achieve your goals. That principles give roadmap to follow, and all that. But simply having a set of principles isn't enough - you need integrity to actually follow these principles when the going gets tough. Integrity means doing the right thing according to your values, even when it's not convenient or immediately rewarding. Without integrity, your principles are just empty words! So, how can you build the integrity...
Life Is A Race?
Think about it: we rush through everything!! "Fast food love," "fast track living" – it's all part of this rush, rush, rush lifestyle. The real problem is we are also losing our sense of connection and community. And the "every man for himself" approach isn’t helping.What if we flipped the script? Instead of competition, imagine teaming up. Interdependence and cooperation people! Working together makes life oh! so sweet! No more "winner takes all" mentality. Instead, it's "we all win!" Just...
Truly Empowering Leadership
"First Things First" becomes even more crucial to embody and instill throughout the organization. As a leader, you have a greater opportunity to shape the culture and environment on trust, respect, and honesty. The goal should be to create a high-trust culture that empowers and unleashes the passion and creativity of everyone involved. The most effective leaders understand that commanding through authority and strict control is a recipe for an unproductive and demoralized team. They involve team members in the...
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About the Author
Stephen R. Covey is a renowned leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and co-founder of FranklinCovey Co. He is author of several international bestsellers, including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which has sold over 20 million copies. He was named one of TIME Magazine's 25 Most Influential Americans. Dr. Covey holds the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership at the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.
More on: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000AQ2VAQ/about
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