First Things First-Stephen Covey

First Things First is a profound book on how to organize, set priorities and to be aware of yourself-capabilities, weaknesses and how to convert all for positive results.
The book drives on To Live, To Love, To Learn, To Leave a lasting Legacy.

THE POWER OF GOALS
“The moment we set a goal is a moment of choice. Goals that are connected to our inner life have the power of passion and principle”.
To access this power you could ask these 3 questions: What? Why? How?

An illustration in the book that made my day:

Roger: After speaking on the importance of mission and roles in a recent seminar, I asked one of the participants if he would be willing to go through the goal setting process with me in front of the group. He agreed.I said, “Okay, choose a role-any role you’d like”
Participant:Father
Roger:What do you feel is the most important goal you could work on in this role?Participant:To improve my relationship with my fourteen year old son
Roger:Why?
Participant:Well, our relationship’s not that good.
Roger:So why do you want to improve it?
Participant:He’s having a lot of challenges at school, with friends and peer pressure. He’s being pulled in directions that are not productive. I feel it’s important to be close to him at this time in his life.
Roger:Why?
Participant:Because he needs it.
Roger:So why do you want to do it?
Participant:To help him.
Roger:Why?
He was beginning to get flustered.
Participant:Because am his father! It’s my responsibility.
Roger:So why do you want to do it?
Frustration was evident on his face.
Participant:Well, because….because...

There were two people at his table who could not sit still a minute longer. At the same instant, they both almost shouted… “Because you Love him!”.

It was written all over his face. It was reflected in his words. It was so evident that people around him could sense the deep love he had for his son. Maybe he couldn’t say it because of the seminar environment, or he hadn’t made the connection with that fire within.The moment these two people said the words, his face broke into a sheepish grin, “That’s right!” he said “I love him”. Everyone could feel the strength and the peace that flooded him.

Without this deep connection, we go through life feeling duty bound.

First Things First -Stephen Covey