The 90/10 Principle : Happiness is in your control

Bored at work. *yawns*

An interesting article to share.

10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.
What does this mean?
We do not have control over 10% of what happens to us.
We cannot stop the car from breaking down...
The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off...
A driver may cut us off in traffic.
We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.

How? By your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Example 1
You were eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocked over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You had no control over what just happened. What happened next will be determined by how you react.

You cursed. You harshly scolded your daughter for knocking the cup over.

She broke down in tears. After scolding her, you turned to your spouse & criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle followed. You stormed upstairs & changed your shirt. Back downstairs, you found your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast & get ready for school. She missed the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work.

You rushed to the car & drive your daughter to school. Because you were late, you drove 40mph in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay & throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrived at school. Your daughter ran into the building without saying goodbye.

After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you found that you had forgotten your briefcase. Your day had started terrible. As it continued, it seemed to worsen. You looked forward to coming home, When you arrived home, you found a small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is " D".

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds was what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have been done & should have happened.

Coffee splashed over you. Your daughter was about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok Honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rushed upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt & your briefcase, you came back down in time to look through the window & saw your child getting on the bus. She turned & waved. You arrived 5 minutes earlier & cheerfully greeted the staff. Your boss commented on how good the day you were having.

Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why? Because of how you REACTED.
You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
f someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic?
Do you lose your temper?
Pound on the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off)
Do you curse?
Does your blood pressure skyrocket?
Do you try and bump them?

WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has nocontrol over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger.

Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.

The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache.