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THE
90/10 PRINCIPLE
Discover the 90/10 Principle: It will change your life. The 90/10
principle is incredible! Very few know and apply this principle. The
Result? Millions of people are suffering undeserved stress, trials,
problems, and heartache. They never seem to be a success in life.
Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly
happening. Theirs is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken
relationships. Worry consumes time, anger ruins friendships and life
seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost.
Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so,
do not be discouraged. You can be different! Understand and apply
the 90/10 principle. It will change your life!
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 may 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're 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 coffee cup over. She breaks down in tears.
After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize them 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 zone.
After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 (traffic fine) away, you
arrive at school. Your daughter runs to the building without saying
good-bye. 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
going home. When you arrive home, you find a 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 and your spouse
kiss before you both go to work. You arrive 5 minutes early and
cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good of a 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% is determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says
something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack
roll off like water on glass. You do not 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 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 or get irritated? It
will work out. Use your “worrying” time and energy into finding
another job.
The plane 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, etc. 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.
HOME
REACTING TO ADVERSITY
What
Kind Of Day Shall I Have
The Right Words
It's In
The Valleys I Grow |