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One-Sentence Summary
First Things First is an action-oriented time-management manual, filled with frameworks and exercises to help you do more of what matters and less of what doesn't - by the author of the #1 book on this list, Stephen Covey. (384 pages)
Note: This First Things First summary is part of an ongoing project to summarise the Best Productivity Books and Best Self Help Books of all time.
Note: This First Things First summary is a stub. I'll write a full summary later. For now, you'll find enough meta-data here to help you decide if it's worth reading the book.
First Things First Summary
This publisher’s blurb comes from the Pocket Books 2002 paperback edition of First Things First…
“In the first real breakthrough in time management in years, Stephen R. Covey and A. Roger Merrill apply the insights of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to the daily problems of people who must struggle with the ever-increasing demands of work and home life.
First Things First shows:
- Why your previous attempts to manage time failed
- What the connections are between time management and money management
- How to delegate without losing control
- How to rediscover your power and passion
- How to lead your life, not just manage your time.
With the wisdom and insight that made The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People a bestseller, First Things First will empower you to define what is truly important; to accomplish worthwhile goals; and to lead rich, rewarding and balanced lives.”
First Things First Contents
First Things First has 15 main chapters (in 4 sections) and 3 appendices…
Introduction
Section One: The Clock and the Compass
- How Many People on Their Deathbed Wish They’d Spent More Time at the Office?
- The Urgency Addiction
- To Live, to Love, to Learn, to Leave a Legacy
Section Two: The Main Thing Is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
- Quadrant II Organizing: The Process of Putting First Things First
- The Passion of Vision
- The Balance of Roles
- The power of Goals
- The Perspective of the Week
- Integrity in the Moment of Choice
- Learning from Living
Section Three: The Synergy of Interdependence
- The Interdependent Reality
- First Things First Together
- Empowerment from the Inside Out
Section Four: The Power and Peace of Principle-Centered Living
- From Time Management to Personal Leadership
- The Peace of the Results
Epilogue
Appendices
- Appendix A: Mission Statement Workshop
- Appendix B: A Review of Time Management Literature
- Appendix C: The Wisdom Literature
Best First Things First Quotes
These First Things First quotes come from The Art of Living's ever-growing central library of thoughts, anecdotes, notes, and inspirational quotes.
"The best way to predict your future is to create it."
- Stephen Covey, First Things First"Doing more things faster is no substitute for doing the right things."
- Stephen Covey, First Things First"More important than how fast you’re going, is where you’re headed."
- Stephen Covey, First Things FirstRead More: 5 Books Like First Things First
Enjoyed this First Things First summary? You might enjoy the rest of the books on these lists of the Best Productivity Books and Best Self Help Books of all time.
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