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 will 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 are eating breakfast with your family. Your
daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no
control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be
determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for
knocking the cup over.
She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and
criticize her 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 Rs.500 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter
runs into 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 coming
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.
Can you answer one simple question :
Today what you had in breakfast ? Suppose you had parantha.
If you want to change Parantha into sandwich, is it possible ? "NO"
You had no control over what happened with the coffee & you can't change
parantha.
When you have no control over the things & instances happened in past then
why we over react & spoil our day.
Think ?
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 to look through the window and see your child getting on
the bus. She turns and waves. 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% was determined by your
reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something
negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on
glass. You don’t 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 on 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 and 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. Why get
stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10
principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose
nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.
The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials,
problems and heartache.
We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.
It CAN change your life!!!