The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Blog Series: Habit Three- Put First Things First

It is difficult to fully capture the depth of Habit Three: Put First Things First, but its power connects to the first two habits. Habit One: Be Proactive teaches us to take responsibility for our lives and to recognize that we have the freedom to choose our actions. Habit two: guides us to create a clear vision and purpose through a personal mission statement. Habit three is about combining the first two habits and taking daily action and living intentionally by aligning with our goals and values. Putting things first requires focus, motivation, and organization. It is the discipline to act even when we do not want to, because we know it is a necessary step to achieve our long-term goals.

A key highlight of habit three is time management. According to Covey, the goal is not to manage time but to manage ourselves versus spontaneity. Time management involves organizing and taking action towards priorities. Covey provides a Time Management Matrix, the goal is to organize priorities into four quadrants.

Quadrant One: Urgent and Important

This quadrant is taking action on urgent and important matters that cannot be ignored, it involves critical action! Although quadrant one cannot be ignored and action might be needed immediately, according to Covey, it is not advisable to invest too much time in quadrant one because it can lead to burn out, stress and exhaustion. Instead, Covey recommends prevention; by investing more time in planning and proactive habits (Quadrant II), we can reduce the number of critical and urgent matters. 

Quadrant Two: Not Urgent but Important

Investing time in quadrant two is at the center of habit three. It involves living accordingly to our values, goals and vision. For example, if you want to eat healthier to lose weight, it will require discipline and daily action to meet your goal and change your eating habits. If you want to exercise to build muscle and strength, it will require vision and discipline to follow through a weekly workout routine. If you want to be on time to work it requires time management and discipline and if applicable, good night’s sleep.

Quadrant Three: Urgent but Not Important

Quadrant three can be a bit tricky and it can be time-consuming if we do not learn to say no. Quadrant three involves completing important tasks like responding to emails, meetings, household duties and other important last-minute requests. If we spend too much time on quadrant three, it can steal our focus and dedication to our highest priorities and values. For example, if we are spending too much time at work, it can be taking away from family time. If we are spending too much time on chores, it can take away our focus from spending quality time with family. It is important to balance quadrant three to prevent burning out and stress.

Quadrant Four: Not Urgent and Not Important

Quadrant four requires mindfulness and awareness because if we spend too much time on quadrant four, we might get stuck in a comfort zone that will not move us towards our goals, and we might feel stuck. An example of quadrant four is mindless social media scrolling, this can lead to avoidance and distraction. Instead, Covey suggests investing quadrant four time into quadrant two. For example, doing activities that are intentional like journaling, walking, reading, connecting with friends and family.

Overall, Habit three is about discipline, action, vision and balance. It is about living each day according to your values. Habit three emphasizes investing time in quadrant two, which is about taking daily action and staying consistent which leads to personal growth, meaningful relationships and goals. Habit three is not about doing more but doing more of what matters most. When we stay consistent, we stay true to ourselves.

Help is available to define goals and receive support in achieving them. Reach out to a team of professionals at Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. on 708-633-8000. We are located at: 6819-167 th St. in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Mariana Rodriguez Graduate Intern, 2025.

Reference:

Covey, S. R. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change (25th anniversary ed.). Simon & Schuster