3
 
Studies show that about 80 percent of the desired results flow from a few (20%) “high leverage” activities. To “leverage” our time, we should devote less attention to activities that are urgent but unimportant, more time to those things that are important but not necessarily urgent.
 
Urgent
Not Urgent
 
 

Important


 
 
 

 Not Important 
I. Urgent & Important
• 
Crises
• 
Pressing problems
• 
Deadline-driven projects,
meetings, preparations
 
II. Important but not urgent
• 
Preparation
• 
Prevention
• 
Values clarification
• 
Planning
• 
Relationship building
• 
True re-creation
• 
Empowerment
III. Urgent and not important
• 
Interruptions, some phone calls
• 
Some mail, some reports, some
meetings
• 
Many proximate, pressing matters
• 
Many popular activities
IV. Not urgent, not important
• 
Trivia, busywork
• 
Junk mail
• 
Some phone calls
• 
Time wasters
• 
Escape activities
 
Borrowed from Covey Leadership Center. Inc
  
 
Urgent things act on us and we usually react to them. But we must be proactive to do the important but not urgent things. Only by saying “no” to the unimportant can we say “yes” to the important (Quadrant II).
 
If you neglect Quadrant II prevention and opportunities, Quadrant I crises will disrupt your life. And if you plan daily instead of weekly, you will live in Quadrant I, and your “planning” will only prioritize your problems.
 
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Win-win is the habit of interpersonal leadership. In families and businesses, effectiveness is largely achieved through the cooperative efforts of two or more people. Marriages and other partnerships are interdependent realities, and yet people often approach these relationships with an independent mentality, which is like trying to play golf with a tennis racket — the tool isn’t suited to the sport.
 
Win-win is the attitude of seeking mutual benefit. Win-win thinking begins with a commitment to explore all options until a mutually satisfactory solution is reached, or to make no deal at all. It begins with an abundance mentality, a belief that by synergistically increasing the “pie,” there are pieces enough for everybody. People with a scarcity mentality believe that there is only enough for the best; they seek win-lose solutions. And people who are kind but lack courage usually end up with the lose-win leftovers. Effective people model the win-win principle in their relationships and agreements.
Frank D. Ferris
Controls Engineering Expert
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