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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 breaks 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 limit. 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 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 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 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% 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" 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, etc. Why get stressed out?
It will just make things worse.
Now you now know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. |
