Entry 7 Putting First Things First

    

          Of Covey's seven habits, habit three "put first things first" is most meaningful to me. It is so easy to get distracted by all the noise around us, to feel as if you are obligated to do everything at once. The principle of putting first things first helps us to to say no to somethings and focus on what is most important to us. Of this Covey said, "Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you."

          By planning our weeks and looking at where things fall in importance, we can schedule our time so that we are using our time to ensure the things of most importance get the most energy and effort.

In answer to the question as to why the 7 habits will help fill my life with passion and purpose as I seek to achieve both a private and public victory, I believe it goes back to the power of intention. When you set clear intentions, and act upon them consistently it has the power to change you. These changes that typically begin in your personal life then change how you show up in your public life as well. 

          When we are driven by the things that matter most to us and not the agendas and busyness that comes with life, we will achieve our goals and life’s missions. We will feel fulfilled with how we are spending our lives and will be focused, motivated, and driven to progress.

          By managing our time and using a quadrant or matrix as Covey suggested it is easy to see where we are spending our time, where we need to make shifts and changes and how are actions can best reflect what is most important to us.