“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” – Steven Covey
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a microcosm of life.
When you:
- Don’t execute the BASICS, bad things happen.
- Lose FOCUS, trouble follows.
- Get DISTRACTED, you get hurt.
It doesn’t matter if you are training Jiu Jitsu or negotiating in a customer’s office, you have to PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST or pay the price.
This week our series continues on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Habit #3: Put First Things First
Let’s roll…
There is an amazing disconnect between what we say is IMPORTANT and our actions.
At times we act like a General Manager of an awful sports team.
We trade high value assets for low value items:
- We give our ATTENTION to Instagram when our family is right in front of us.
- We give away our HEALTH when we pass the gym to get “caught up” on email.
- We let people steal our TIME because we are afraid to say “No”.
Take back control by putting first things first.
It all starts by eliminating distraction.
A few weeks ago I found myself losing focus.
My phone pinged all day.
I was reacting, not initiating.
The iphone was stealing my attention away from what was right in front of me.
This was happening more often than I would like to admit.
It was time to put first things first.
I made 3 changes:
- Removed all social media apps from my iphone.
- Turned off all notifications for everything.
- Limited email to 2 times per day.
The result?
More focus.
Less stress.
A game changer.
There is more white space during my day.
But the biggest benefit has been PRESENCE.
I’m more AWARE of what’s going on in front of me.
200 years before Covey wrote the 7 Habits, Goethe said:
“Things Which Matter Most Must Never Be at the Mercy of Those That Matter Least.”
Maybe it’s time we start acting that way.
#PutFirstThingsFirst
-Joe Ciccarone
The Vibe 