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This is a great message that I received from one of our members and thought
you would benefit from reading it. It has taught me to take things into
perspective and be careful of how I react to certain situations in my life.
I hope this message helps and challenges you to be careful of how you react
when things don't go as planned in your daily life. Reading this message
will be time well spent.
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.
By Arlen Busenitz
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
James 1:19-21 "My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to
speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in
God's sight. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and
humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong
enough to save your souls."
Proverbs 18:20-21 "Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach;
the right words on a person's lips bring satisfaction. Those who love to
talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish
life."
Ephesians 4:29-32 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you
say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to
those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the
way you live. Remember, He is the one who has identified you as His own,
guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of
all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types
of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
Proverbs 4:6-8 "Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the most important
thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment. If you
prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you."
All scriptures can be found in the New Living Translation.
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
