In the late 1990’s, I was a huge Steven Covey fan. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was one of the greatest books I’ve ever read, next to the Bible and Out of the Crisis by Dr W.E. Deming.
I consider 7 Habits one of the greatest books, because it had the most profound impacts on my life. The changes to my own personal self-management still carry forward to today.
I came across my weekly scheduler from August, 1995. Habit 3 is PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST.
Habit 3 is the personal fruit, the practical fulfillment of Habits 1 and 2.
Habit 1 says, “You’re the creator. You are in charge.” Habit 2 is the first or mental creation. It’s based on imagination–the ability to envision, to see the potential, to create with our minds what we cannot at present see with our eyes. Habit 3, then, is the second creation, the physical creation. It’s the exercise of independent will toward becoming principle centered – Steven Covey
The time management matrix looks like this:
| URGENT | NOT URGENT | |
| IMPORTANT | ACTIVITIES: Crises Pressing problems Deadline-driven projects | ACTIVITIES: Prevention, Capability activities Relationship building Recognizing new opportunities Planning, recreation |
| NOT IMPORTANT | ACTIVITIES: Interruptions, some calls Some mail, some reports Some meetings Proximate, pressing matters Popular activities | ACTIVITIES: Trivia, busy work Some mail Some phone calls Time wasters Pleasant activities |
A popular means of time management is to focus on Quadrant I. This Quadrant I is like the pounding surf. A huge problem comes up and knocks you down. As you get back on your feet, another one comes, and then another one. I know, because I was living it.
The results:
- Stress
- Burnout
- Crisis management
- Always putting out fires
After I had read the book and started trying to live the 7 habits, I became Quadrant II focused. Instead of prioritizing my schedule, I began to schedule my priorities.
Organizing became two sets of activity:
- Long Term Organizing: Mission Statement->Roles->Goals
- Weekly Organizing: Roles->Goals->Plans (Schedule or Delegate)
I adapted the ideas from page 180 and 181 of the book. When I found this, I began planning to develop a software version.
What I remember about utilizing this were the results:
- Vision, Perspective
- Balance
- Discipline
- Control
- FEW Crises
It’s 2024 and I am still benefiting from having read the book 30 years ago.
