Year 4, Day 245, “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 12/31/2024. The Wellington – Happy New Year. We are sliding into 2025. This past year has certainly flown by. We decided to not use the paint I bought for the trim and doors. I went to the Sherwin Williams store. I bought the same paint we used in the Williamsburg. It is ProClassic Oxford White semi-gloss. After that it was a cutting and painting the window jambs, sills, and casings day. The downstairs is a painting factory zone.
Tomorrow we will be tiling the hall bathroom floor. As the new year approaches and everyone makes their New Years resolutions. I spent time looking at hair coloring ideas for the new me in 2025
I also pondered what should my resolution be and realized that the 90/10 rule can change your life. Do you know what it is? It is the concept that 10% of life is what happens to you. The remaining 90% is how you react to it. The 90/10 Principle was popularized by Stephen Covey, the author of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It states: 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. The other 90% is shaped by how you react. This rule can apply to everything in your life and if followed will De-Stress your life. I am fully going to embrace this rule this year. This story I read right about midnight was what set me on this goal. “You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse. You criticize him for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30-mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to going home. When you arrive, you find 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 is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say,” It’s ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time”. Grabbing a towel, you mop it up and rush upstairs. After changing your shirt, you return downstairs. You arrive just in time to look through the window. You see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early. You cheerfully greet your coworkers. Your boss comments on how good a day you are 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% is determined by your reaction. Just think of the many different scenarios in which thinking about and following this principle could de-stress your life. 1) Job loss: If you lose your job, you can use your time and energy to find a new job instead of worrying and getting irritated. 2) Delayed plane: If your plane is delayed, you can use your time to study or get to know other passengers instead of taking out your frustration on everyone around you and yourself. 3) Traffic: If you get stuck in traffic, you can use your time to listen to your favorite songs instead of cursing or losing your temper. 4) Negative comments: If someone says something negative to you, you can choose how you react instead of letting it set the tone for the rest of your day. 5) Eating habits: If you eat right 90% of the time, the other 10% won’t have an adverse impact. So, raise your glass with me. Cheers – Happy New Year to you and your family – Here’s to a stress-free 2025. I wanted to pass on our new favorite bread, and it is from PA. If you have never tried it. Give it a try.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
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