The heart of this book is a chart with four quadrants that divides up the urgent and important in a unique way. The point is that life should not just consist of checking off a list of "to dos", but to spend time deciding on what is important, really important and doing that.

I still don't like living by a system, but this one makes sense. ( )

A tie-in with the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People on how to manage time. Puts forth ideas and methods for ensuring that the important things in life get taken care of. Great book for examining your life and where you should be taking it. ( )

A deeper reflection on one of the 7 Habits, this book develops the "4th generation" of time management. Such skill involves knowing inherently one's value and then creating quadrant II space to achieve what is most important. The Laws of Life, such as the principle of the Farm and emotional bank accounts must be considered. The book frequently challenges the paradigm that busy = success and instead replaces it with the value of the compass over the clock, i.e. why scramble in the wrong direction. A key element of 4th generation planning involves starting with roles, listing important objectives, and then scheduling the week around them. The analogy is drawn of putting rocks (important things), gravel, sand, and water (urgent details) into a glass jar. The principle of interdependence is also emphasized. ( )

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. Rather than focusing on time and change, Covey and Merrill emphasize relationships and results. And instead of efficiency, they emphasize effectiveness. First Things First shows:
Why your previous attempts to manage time failed.
How to overcome the tremendous gravity of habit.
What the connections are between time management and money management.
How to turn your resolutions into reality.
How to delegate without losing control.
Where winners really spend their time.
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.