![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Spirituality Information |
|
![]() |
First Things First-- Balancing Your Priorities!
I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind at the time when he writes, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all other things will be added unto you." I'm not sure how much popularity the bible has in Japan today either. Yet, it seems as though the Japanese people have at least one biblical principle figured out. In the book, "First Things First", Steven Covey helps us understand how and why the Japanese people think how they do and accomplish so much more than American's in a same twenty-four hour period. Covey explains, that we can divide all our daily tasks into two main areas of our lives. One area is the Important/Urgent-NOT Urgent area and the second consists of tasks in the NOT Important/NOT Urgent area. In the last twenty years Corporate America has marveled at the efficiency and productivity of the Japanese worker. So we decided to study their behaviors. Over time researchers have come to this conclusion that boils down to one basic principle, the "80/20 rule" in life. They found that the Japanese spend eighty percent of all their time on tasks that are Important/Urgent to NOT urgent and twenty percent of their time on tasks that fall into the Not Important/Not Urgent at all area. In other words they determine what daily tasks are important by lining them up with their priorities. Then they will spend the majority of their time focusing on those tasks at hand and less time on less significant areas. Researchers have also studied the behaviors of Americans, and in contrast they have found the opposite thinking holds true. Americans spend eighty percent of their time in the Urgent/ NOT so important issues and twenty percent of their time in the important areas. In other words, we spend most of our time on urgent things that don't necessarily line up with our priorities and take up a lot or most of our time and emotional energy. In the bible this principle can be illustrated by looking at the relationship between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus spent some time with all of them teaching and leading them, and then their were only two or three that were in his inner circle that he spent most of his time with that went out and taught others more. The point is, Jesus would not have been as effective if he tried to talk with everybody all the time so he prioritized his time and efforts with his priorities. His priority was to teach the disciples so they could teach others. Yes, Jesus had questions for God on top of struggles all through out his life. Yet, he sought after the kingdom of God first and fought through the small bumps of life. If we look at each one of our lives right now we may find that there are similarities between our spiritual lives and our day-to-day life. Ask yourself, are you spending most of your time in less significant areas and not in the areas that line up with your priorities? Or in in another way ask, are the things I am doing everyday filling me up spiritually and giving me meaning in life? If not then look at the 80/20 rule in your life. What priorities are you seeking first? Are they in the Important or are they the urgent? The amazing thing that occurs when keeping first things first is this. If you first make a list of your tasks and categorize them either I for important or U for urgent. Then focus all your energy on the "I" list you will find that it will seem as though the Urgent tasks on your list will take care of them selves. The next thing you will realize is that you will have more time to devote to what matters most to you in your life and that will give your life more meaning and significance. Try this you will be amazed at the power our Lord. I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind at the time when he writes, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all other things will be added unto you." I'm not sure how much popularity the bible has in Japan today either. Yet, it seems as though the Japanese people have at least one biblical principle figured out. In the book, "First Things First", Steven Covey helps us understand how and why the Japanese people think how they do and accomplish so much more than American's in a same twenty-four hour period. Covey explains, that we can divide all our daily tasks into two main areas of our lives. One area is the Important/Urgent-NOT Urgent area and the second consists of tasks in the NOT Important/NOT Urgent area. In the last twenty years Corporate America has marveled at the efficiency and productivity of the Japanese worker. So we decided to study their behaviors. Over time researchers have come to this conclusion that boils down to one basic principle, the "80/20 rule" in life. They found that the Japanese spend eighty percent of all their time on tasks that are Important/Urgent to NOT urgent and twenty percent of their time on tasks that fall into the Not Important/Not Urgent at all area. In other words they determine what daily tasks are important by lining them up with their priorities. Then they will spend the majority of their time focusing on those tasks at hand and less time on less significant areas. Researchers have also studied the behaviors of Americans, and in contrast they have found the opposite thinking holds true. Americans spend eighty percent of their time in the Urgent/ NOT so important issues and twenty percent of their time in the important areas. In other words, we spend most of our time on urgent things that don't necessarily line up with our priorities and take up a lot or most of our time and emotional energy. In the bible this principle can be illustrated by looking at the relationship between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus spent some time with all of them teaching and leading them, and then their were only two or three that were in his inner circle that he spent most of his time with that went out and taught others more. The point is, Jesus would not have been as effective if he tried to talk with everybody all the time so he prioritized his time and efforts with his priorities. His priority was to teach the disciples so they could teach others. Yes, Jesus had questions for God on top of struggles all through out his life. Yet, he sought after the kingdom of God first and fought through the small bumps of life. If we look at each one of our lives right now we may find that there are similarities between our spiritual lives and our day-to-day life. Ask yourself, are you spending most of your time in less significant areas and not in the areas that line up with your priorities? Or in in another way ask, are the things I am doing everyday filling me up spiritually and giving me meaning in life? If not then look at the 80/20 rule in your life. What priorities are you seeking first? Are they in the Important or are they the urgent? The amazing thing that occurs when keeping first things first is this. If you first make a list of your tasks and categorize them either I for important or U for urgent. Then focus all your energy on the "I" list you will find that it will seem as though the Urgent tasks on your list will take care of them selves. The next thing you will realize is that you will have more time to devote to what matters most to you in your life and that will give your life more meaning and significance. Try this you will be amazed at the power our Lord. Greg Ryan is a best selling author of the Changing from the INSIDE OUT series. A powerful five step plan to better your life, get healthier, and have more energy! For FREE mini Course click here! http://www.resolutions.bz
MORE RESOURCES:
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
The Gods Of Our Planet Earth Remember me! It's me! Joseph here in touch with you again! Okay, so you don't remember! That's fine then, so let me refresh your mind a bit. When we were in spirit, we had the same discussion you know and I told you, "Hopefully you will remember me when I approach you on this plane. Its Not What You Know, Its What You Do Knowing what is right and what is wrong in your own inner consciousness is insufficient. It is not the knowing of truth that transforms a person; it is the doing of truth that has an impact on you and on the other people that you interact with. Gentle Whispers Today we do not experience great manifestations of God as Moses did many years ago. God has not spoken to us out of a burning bush and neither have we heard His voice as He walked in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden. Integrity and Spirituality The concept of integrity has arisen often in discussions of spirituality. What do we mean however when we invoke this concept in this context? What is the role of integrity in spirituality? How will we know it when we encounter it? More importantly what will be the consequence to us if we choose to remain ignorant of its crucial importance as a foundation stone to our spiritual enlightenment? Here I intend to address these questions and to give a fresh perspective on how to achieve what I will define as Spiritual Integrity. If It Is The Lords Will I Will Live My thoughts can get a little edgy at night. Possibly even deep. The Meaning of Life Recently I was watching a re-run of "Everybody Loves Raymond". This particular episode was about a life long question we all ask. Attachment - Bondage or Moha - Their Role in Gaining Enlightenment Attachment.. Jesus Christ: One Can Reach God Only Through Him - Is this Statement Correct? Catch the express or the super fast bullet train. If we are able to reach our goal the purpose is served. What is the Evil Eye? The Evil Eye has been around since the beginning of time. It simply means sending someone a thought that seems intrusive or invasive or has the power to hurt him or her. Anamchara - Living The Real Life "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide No escape from reality."This song goes on to advise, "Open your eyes and see. The Spirituality of Pigeons! I was walking down the street the other day, walking around the pigeons and saying "good morning" to them when it dawned on me just how precious they are to the lives of city slickers.How many of us have a dislike for these feathered creatures? I often see children chasing pigeons round in circles until they fly away. Lucky Charms and Talismans Many of you already own several lucky charms or talismans. You just may not be aware of the object's symbolism or meaning. 10 Interesting Facts about Archangel Michael 1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". KABBALAH OF LOVE: The Secret Power of Ego The Key to True Love.. A Bellyful of Mindfulness Taco Bell, the Mexican fast-food franchise, has a new ad campaign focusing on the slogan, "Get full." The commercials show people ecstatically announcing that they are full--thanks, of course, to the huge value meals now available at Taco Bell. Unification of World Religions If anyone says that his/her religion is the only path to God and that other paths lead to hell, I have one humble question. The question is for every religion without any trace of partiality. Life is like Golf In the golfing world, yesterday may have been one of the most exciting and long awaited days in the sports history. "The Masters" golf tournament is the most prestigious championships in all of golf, but no more important than to the man that won it. Horse Racing and Seabiscut -- A Hope, A Prayer, and A Horse! Even though our lives progressively moves forward on occasion it has a way of working what seems to be in a backwards motion, yet in the end achieves the same results. I remember years ago when I started my bodybuilding career, I had no self- confidence, poor self-esteem, and an introverted personality. Ultimate Truth:The Beginning You decide! We are often asked to make decisions. Decision is described as, the passing of judgment on an issue under consideration, the act of reaching a conclusion or making up one's mind, a conclusion or judgment reached or pronounced, hence a verdict. Connecting to Spirit Every soul that is currently experiencing life on any level begins and ends as a whole. Our essence - the very core of our spiritual being - remains One with God. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 |