We seldom really rely on chance in our daily lives; Most of the time, we decide what the day will be like. It’s what writer Stephen Covey calls “the 90/10 principle” and shows how it works using an obvious example. We invite you to take a closer look at the 90/10 rule with us.
What Is The “Rule Of 90/10”?
The thing is we cannot control only 10% of the events in our lives. We cannot prevent a device from breaking or delaying a flight. However, we can control our own reactions to these things.
The other 90% of events are the result of our reactions, in short, what we do when we are stressed.
Imagine This
You are having a family breakfast. Your daughter accidentally spilled your coffee on your shirt. You jump up and shout at her, then yell at your wife for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table.
You run to your room to change, but when you return, you see that your crying daughter has not finished breakfast or packed for school.
As a result, she misses the school bus. Your wife runs to work and you drive your daughter to school in your car. You are late, so you drive recklessly.
You’re still late and, on top of that, you find that you’ve forgotten important documents at home. The beginning of your day was horrible and continues in the same way.
You can’t wait to finish. When you return home, you say hi to your wife and daughter. You are both in a bad mood and there is tension between you.
Why Have You Had A Bad Day?
- Because your daughter spilled your coffee
- Because your daughter missed the bus and you had to take her to school
- Because there was a traffic jam and you were late for work
- Because you showed the wrong reaction to the situation
The correct answer is D. You ruined all day for yourself and your family with your reaction. You couldn’t have done anything about the coffee, but you could have controlled your emotions.
It All Could’ve Been Different
Coffee is spilled on your pants and your daughter is about to burst into tears. You say softly, “Okay, just be more careful next time.” You go to the room, change your clothes, collect everything you need to work.
Then you go back to the dining room and see your daughter waving at you from her school bus. When you say goodbye to your wife, you go to work, arrive 5 minutes early, and greet all your colleagues vigorously.
Two different scenarios that started similarly. It is about your reactions to the events in your life. Sure, you can still blame others for your problems and complain that everything goes wrong, but has it ever helped?
Learn To React Correctly, And You’ll Never Spoil A Day In Your Life
If someone overtakes you on a highway, let them. Don’t rush: what difference will it make if you arrive to work a few seconds late? Remember the 90/10 rule and don’t worry.
Your plane is delayed and your day is ruined. Don’t fight with the airport staff, it’s not their fault. Take advantage of the time: read a book or meet other passengers.
You will not regret trying to use the 90/10 principle in your life. Quite the opposite: the results will surprise you.
