90/10 Principles of Stephen Covey

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By debudeodhar

90/10 Principle of 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 take 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 what happened. What happens when the 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," 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 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 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. 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.

Comments

Kamal Nayan 4 years ago

I read out above and i felt seriously its all r true and effective in practicle life. I wana more such type of experience

debudeodhar profile image

debudeodhar Hub Author 4 years ago

Dear Kamal,

Yes, it is true and same feeligs from my side also. I had a experience with all these things.

Let me know your experience in details if any. I am waiting for the same.

Regards,

debudeodhar

Teddy Caluscusan  3 years ago

Wow! It's really good. Thank you for posting this..

Teddy

ankush agarwal 3 years ago

i made presentation on this principles & i was highly appreciated by all the viewrs. they all told they will apply it surely

Deanna's Ranch 2 years ago

the 90/10 principle is a very good investment.. it is really our attitude that makes our days

MARK JASON T. PEREZ 2 years ago

it is very helpful for our daily life.

Michael C. Data 2 years ago

Greetings!

Hi! Thank you for redistribution of this 90/10 principles I study out on top of your 90/10 principles and I consider seriously it’s all r accurate and effective in practical life. My appreciation is ever-growing it is very accommodating for our on a daily basis. Thanks a lot to the author of 90/10 principles.

Best regards,

Michael C. Data

ICE 2 years ago

Thank you,, recently my girlfriend and i had a fight,now were okay because of this principle

Grace G. Pauly 2 years ago

hi, thank you for posting! Our professor in HBO discussed it in our class and its really great. It helps!

Saumu  2 years ago

Hi, Thanks to the Author.Thank you too for posting such an amazing document!Keep it up!!!It is very helpful when implementing it-putting into practice (practical life)!!!

Luke Easter 22 months ago

Respond or React?

When finding yourself under attack,

Do you respond or do you react?

What’s the difference between the two?

Well, which one shows the Jesus in you?

Cut off in traffic, are you flipping the bird?

Exactly what from your mouth is heard?

Who begins to swear, rant and rave?

Is it someone born again and saved?

A lot of talk is about seeing the Jesus in me,

John 8: 32 assures we are certainly set free,

Scripture continues with the word indeed,

Cut off in traffic is not being cut to bleed.

Does your responding genuinely reflect?

Or is the reacting another sign of neglect?

Is that really Jesus inside shinning through?

Or maybe once again just the same old you?

So, how many times do you shake your fist?

Instead of, “I’m glad it’s not worse than this? ”

If profanity roars from your mouth as you speak,

Then Jesus inside must be playing hide and seek.

Christianity’s not a switch turned off and on,

Or days where some are short, some are long,

It is a bright light shinning atop the highest hill,

Even when you can’t pay your electric bill.

How about talking when others have the floor?

Are you one to quietly close or slam the door?

The church is having a banquet it’s time to eat,

Who’s close to the food or in the farthest seat?

Acknowledgment from a kiss or a knife in the back?

Handshake and smile while planning a sneak attack?

Cain was rejected offering the bottom not the top,

Able pleased God giving Him the cream of his crop.

Do not react to any situation by what you see,

Respond on the word of God because you believe,

Reacting is usually based on fear and neglect,

Responding is when you always forgive and forget.

To stay on the right track it takes a faithful friend,

Just like what I have in my sister, Toni Anderson,

Whenever my actions begin to show a spiritual lack,

She will say, “my brother, respond and don’t react.”

Luke Easter & Toni Anderson

Marvin Courtmarsh 22 months ago

This is so true on the whole. I used this principle for my backed up colon and it worked like charm. It even prepared my scrote for my bathroom furniture and what amazing results. My poop looks better than ever. I could stand there and get mad and raging that my poop wont fall out or I can be proactive and push and eat water and pills and you know what? i was proactive and I reacted to this situation and the poop finally fell out

shanker Travden 21 months ago

certainly the 90/10 principle is fine, easy to understand but what about situations where emotions play an important part?, like when you are betrayed by close ones, things doesnt happen as you thought would happen, you see no point in persuing a certain mission and you surrender yourself and drift along the tide instead of struggling to get what you want especially when you have reached an age and a situation where you think you have got more than what you had hoped. is it not right to accept the situation and live life in a calm and satisfied way, without worrying for more. is it not destiny ?

escuyos 21 months ago

wow this story is amzing because this ny assignment and you know i recory senior cauze this zellling vonaputi

Blissfu1ness 21 months ago

Perfect way to define the course of impact that follows an action. Good if people learn to react positively and better for situations.

Blissfu1ness 21 months ago

Perfect way to define the course of impact that follows an action. Good if people learn to react positively and better for situations.

apurva 21 months ago

I came to know about this principal just yesterday and my feeling is that its extremely true for each and every person.

gabby 21 months ago

it's really hitting me bull's eye. this article is so much relevant. i love to share it with my friends if you permit. brilliant ideas.

anna25 20 months ago

it's really good.

reena 20 months ago

the 90/10 principle really change my life..

charles 19 months ago

i agree..this is really great example to us..

Queen 19 months ago

it is a big help in my everyday life!!!

marl jp 19 months ago

..nice!

_i really agree on this!

_really true..

_it could make your day perfect!

Alain 19 months ago

Is there a book written on that 90/10 principle? If yes, where I get buy it?

HRnico 18 months ago

this principle is written by stephen covey! you should also read the 7 habits of highly effective people. :)

soy 16 months ago

you will be amaze on how totally different the ending scenario if you apply the 90 10 principle. Hope everybody will do the same.

soy 16 months ago

you will be amaze on how totally different the ending scenario if you apply the 90 10 principle. Hope everybody will do the same.

mechie 16 months ago

this could be really effective.

i'll be trying this.

thanks!

Tom OmaNI 13 months ago

THIS A TRUE SITUATIONS IN OUR LIVES. WE NEED TO PASS IT OVER TO OTHERS

Macall 8 months ago

Thanks your idea and I'm following now & now I am free from problem and mind also free free

binta.verma@gmail.com 3 months ago

its really very effective

shreyapatial786@gmail.com 3 months ago

it will really changed my life

SoyBoySigh 4 weeks ago

I think you mean to say 9/1. Cause there's also the OTHER nine times as much stuff that you have no freakin' AWARENESS of, let alone control over, goin' on in your life. Don't even begin to think that you're operating on a 100% capacity, and you'll have a better more humble outlook on it all. I like the analogy with the kid though. When it comes to the way you deal with people, especially your kids, you'll be remembered ... judged in some cases, for the little stuff. Not the things you put thought into, that you tried to make a grand gesture of. And taking a half a second to calm yourself down and not freak out on your kid isn't gonna change what they witness of that first half second of anger. Change your attitude in the first place to being conscious of and loving toward, engaged with, your family while you are eating breakfast together. THEN not only will you have your nose out of the financial section of the paper, you'll see your daughter's hand move toward that coffee cup in the first place, and prevent the accident from occuring to HER, not your stupid shirt or your stupid day. If you find yourself at the crux of this dilema described here, you need to do more than evaluate tomorrow morning's breakfast, you need to re-evaluate your life.

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