Habit 3 - First Things First

From www.stephencovey.com:

To live a more balanced existence, you have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay. There's no need to overextend yourself. All it takes is realizing that it's all right to say no when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities. 

Habit 1 says, "You're in charge. You're the creator." Being proactive is about choice. Habit 2 is the first, or mental, creation. Beginning with the End in Mind is about vision. Habit 3 is the second creation, the physical creation. This habit is where Habits 1 and 2 come together. It happens day in and day out, moment-by-moment. It deals with many of the questions addressed in the field of time management. But that's not all it's about. Habit 3 is about life management as well--your purpose, values, roles, and priorities. What are "first things?" First things are those things you, personally, find of most worth. If you put first things first, you are organizing and managing time and events according to the personal priorities you established in Habit 2.

This video demonstrates the importance of putting first things first...that is. making sure you schedule time for the most important things first.

I look at the big rocks as Quadrant 2 activities, the gravel as Quadrant 1, sand as Quadrant 3 and water as Quadrant 4:

You need to make time for the Q2 activities before they become Q1. Exercise when it's important but not urgent; before your urgent and important heart attack!

If you avoid the Q3 and Q4 activities as much as possible, you'll have time for even more Q2 activities.

Franklin Covey has a 7 habits planner. I used to use it but somehow, over the years, I've misplaced it. I'll have to dig it up and start using it again.

Monday - Habit 1 - Be Proactive

Tuesday - Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind

Wednesday - Habit 3 - Put First Things First

Thursday - Habit 4 - Think Win-win

Monday - Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood

Tuesday - Habit 6 - Synergize

Wednesday - Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw

Thursday - The 8th Habit - Find Your Voice and Inspire Others to Find Theirs

Interesting days

Today - Occult Day

Tomorrow - Have A Bad Day Day,  Use Less Stuff Day, World Toilet Day and International Men's Day

Next Wednesday - Shopping Reminder Day Only one more month! It's also Parfait Day Yum!

December 18 - Free Shipping Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Underdog Day, International Migrants Day, Arabic Language Day and Bake Cookies Day What's your favorite kind of cookies to bake?