First Things First

II'm getting more done in less time, but where are the rich relationships, the inner peace, the balance, the confidence that I'm doing what matters most and doing it well?/I P Does this nagging question haunt you, even when you feel you are being your most efficient? If so, IFirst Things First/i can help you understand why so often our first things aren't first. Rather than offering you another clock, IFirst Things First/i provides you with a compass, because where you're headed is more important than how fast you're going.

What are the most important things in your life? Do they get as much care, emphasis, and time as you'd like to give them? Far from the traditional "be-more-efficient" time-management book with shortcut techniques, IFirst Things First/I shows you how to look at your use of time totally differently. Using this book will help you create balance between your personal and professional responsibilities by putting first things first and acting on them. Covey teaches an organizing process that helps you categorize tasks so you focus on what is important, not merely what is urgent. First you divide tasks into these quadrants: ol LIImportant and Urgent (crises, deadline-driven projects) LI Important, Not Urgent (preparation, prevention, planning, relationships) LI Urgent, Not Important (interruptions, many pressing matters) LI Not Urgent, Not Important (trivia, time wasters)/olp Most people spend most of their time in quadrants 1 and 3, while quadrant 2 is where quality happens. "Doing more things faster is no substitute for doing the right things," says Covey. He points you toward the real human needs--"to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy"--and how to balance your time to achieve a meaningful life, not just get things done. I--Joan Price/I