Habit #3 Put First Things First
Habit #3: Put First Things First This habit is about learning to prioritize and manage your time so that your first things come first, and not last. Also, learning to overcome your fears and being strong during hard moments. In Habit #2 you decided what your first things are. Habit #3, then is putting them first in your life. Habit #3 is the habit of will-power (the strength to say yes to your most important things) and wont power (the strength to say no to less important things and to peer pressure).
Packing More into Your Life The better you organize yourself, the more you will be able to “pack into your life” (get accomplished). The following model will help you to do this. It is made up of two primary ingredients, “important” and “urgent”. Important: you most important things, your first things, activities that contribute to your goals. Urgent: pressing things, in-you-face-things, activities that demand immediate attention
In general, we spend our time in four different time quadrants, each of which contain different activities and are represented by a different type of person Urgent Not Urgent Important Q1. The Procrastinator - exam tomorrow & have not started to study Late to work Project due today Car breaks down Q2. The Prioritizer Planning, goals setting Essay due in a week Exercise Relationships Relaxation Not Important Q3. The Yes Man Unimportant calls/texts/postings Interruptions Other peoples problems Peer pressure Q4. The Slacker Too much T.V/internet/gaming Endless socializing Mall marathons Time wasters
Q1 - The Procrastinator You cause yourself many headaches You are a stress case and you will seldom be performing at your potential You are addicted to urgency Doing everything at the last minute give you that rush & you thrive under pressure Planning ahead is out of the question because it would ruin the excitement of the last possible moment The Results of too much time in Q1 are: Stress and anxiety Burnout Mediocre performance
Q3 – The Yes-Man Things that are urgent but not important It is characterized by trying to please other people and responding to their every desire ex. A ringing phone is important, but often the conversation is unimportant You would like to say no, but can’t because you are afraid you might offend someone One of the worst quadrants to be in because it have no backbone, you are fickle and will blow with whichever way the wind is blowing The results of too much time in Q3 are: Reputation for being a “pleaser” Lack of discipline Feeling like a doormat for others to wipe their feet on
Q4 – The Slacker The category of waste and excess You love anything in excess, like too much TV, sleep, gaming, socializing, internet You are a professional loafer The result of to much time in Q4 are: Lack of responsibility Guilt Flakiness
Q2 – The Prioritizer This is made of things that are important but not urgent, like relaxation, building friendships, exercising, planning ahead, and doing homework on time Although not perfect, you are basically together You take a look at everything you have to do and then prioritize, making sure first things get done first and last things are last The result of living in Q2 are: Control of your life Balance High performance
How to Succeed at Habit #3 In reality, we all spend some time in each quadrant. The key is to switch as much as possible into Q2 by reducing the amount of time spent in the other quadrants. Here is how to do that: Shrink Q1 by procrastinating less Say no to Q3 activities Cut down on Q4 slacker activities
Tips for time management and more time in Q2 Pick up a planner (it can be on your phone) Plan your schedule weekly. Adapt daily (with your weekly planner in place, adapt each day as needed). “The common ingredient of success is DISIPLINE!” Note: Of the Seven Habits, Habit #2 is the most difficult to live Good Luck!
Habit 3 Activity Complete the following on a separate sheet of paper. Which of the four quadrants do you fall under? What about your lifestyle puts you in that category? Identify your 5 biggest time-wasters. Which are necessary and which can you cut back on and why? Are you a “pleaser”, someone who says yes to everything and everyone? If you are what do you do to change the behavior? If no, then what have to done to control the need to please? What habits in your life do you need to change to be a Prioritizer? How will you accomplish this?