Stephen Covey's words of wisdom -- "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." -- are certainly poignant, but it's not always so simple to identify the main thing -- or keep it the main thing. With so many aspects of life to balance -- work, relationships, the pursuit of personal passions -- it's no wonder that that main thing often gets lost amidst the lengthy to-do lists and the impromptu must-do's.
But Covey has a point. For each of us, there should be a main thing -- the thing that fuels us, that motivates us, that keeps us engaged and interested in life. The main thing could be a hobby, a career, even a relationship (though I wouldn't advise making another person your main thing...). Your main thing could be a state of mind, a life-long dream, a career path. No matter what your main thing is, we should all strive to keep the main thing, the main thing. Easier said than done, right? Below are some ideas for identifying the main thing -- and keeping it the main thing -- in your life.
3 Methods for Maintaining the Main Thing
1. Evaluate your current situation.
Think about how you spend your time. Think about the people in your life. Are these things exciting you? Motivating you? Are they in tune with the path you want to be on? If not, what does excite you? What makes you want to get up in the morning with a big smile on your face? If that's not what you're doing every single day, then you're missing out on the main thing and it's time to make some changes. Remember: no one is going to make the main thing your priority for you. It's up to you to identify what makes you thrilled to be alive -- your main thing -- and it's up to you to make sure you prioritize it in your life.
2. Make it part of your daily routine.
If you want your main thing to stay in focus, you've got to put it where you can see it. Don't put it off until someday -- or even until the weekends. Make sure you do what you feel passionate about every single day. Pencil it in on your calendar. Schedule it as a meeting. Do whatever you need to do to make time for the main thing in your life. If you don't actively find a way to incorporate the main thing into your life on a regular basis, it will become out of focus, blurry, and it will become less and less of a priority for you. If you want the main thing to be the main thing, you have to keep it in the forefront. Zoom in on it daily.
3. Create a to-don't list.
Make a list of things that do (or could) get in the way of the main thing. Are any of the things on the list currently part of your life? If they are, stop doing/seeing/being them -- or minimize them if you can't cut them out altogether. Anything standing n the way of your main thing is essentially standing in the way of you. While I’d recommend directing your attention to how to incorporate more of your main thing into your life (positive over negative!), knowing what will stand in the way of the main thing is also important when it comes to keeping the main thing, the main thing.
Of course, keeping the main thing -- whatever that might be -- the main thing is difficult with all of life's distractions and detours. It will take effort, perseverance, and determination to keep the main thing in focus. But life's short. Don't you want what matters most to you to be what you spend most of your time and energy on? I certainly do. Don't waste any more time on the sideshows, on the things that don't really mean that much to you. Life is short. Keep the main thing, the main thing.
Thanks for this post. It was really nice, informative, and simple. I'm struggling with this and have been for the past year. I've taken out loans to go to graduate school, but after 1 year (of the 3 year program) I'm not sure if it is the right path. Everyone says it is just a tough program to get through but it is worth it in the end. But ultimately, do I want to be working with these institutions when I'm finished? I'm not sure now... but I don't want to waste my year of grad school and loans! I'm already more than 1/3 finished! What should I do!? This is tough. I don't want to throw away what I've been working to for years and start anew... but maybe that would be best?!
Posted by: Leslie | July 16, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Such a great message at a sad time. I'm an huge Stephen Covey/Franklin Covey admirer and buyer. RIP Stephen Covey...thank you for all you gave for us to follow. Thank you Dani for sharing this message - we only get one life, enjoy it, and live it big!
Posted by: Saggleo | July 17, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Leslie - You're welcome. I'm sorry you've been struggling with this, but I hope these points will help. It sounds like you're in a tough spot. You certainly don't want to waste time on an expensive and time-consuming program if it's not what you want to do in the end. If I were you, I'd give some serious thought to what you're passionate about. Is the program/career something you're really, really passionate about and could see yourself doing even if you had all the time/money in the world? If so, keep going - it will be worth it in the end. If not, I'd reconsider grad school. I know you're 1/3 of the way through, but just because you've started doesn't mean you have to spend more time and money if it's not something you're really passionate about. It's like I always say about books - if you don't love the one you're reading, put it down; there are too many great books to read to waste time on ones that aren't thrilling you!
Saggleo - I had no idea that he had passed away! How sad! He had such great messages and left such a legacy. From what I've read by him, he really was all about living life to the fullest - an attitude we should all embrace!
Posted by: positively present | July 17, 2012 at 07:47 AM
Yes, yes and yes! Love this post.
Posted by: Michelle @ Find Your Balance | July 17, 2012 at 09:22 PM
Michelle - Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!
Posted by: positively present | July 18, 2012 at 07:24 AM
Thanks for your post honoring Stephen Covey.
Posted by: Linda Davidson | July 18, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Linda - You're welcome. He was such an inspiring guy!
Posted by: positively present | July 18, 2012 at 12:52 PM
I like your positive post and do thank you for posting.
I enjoy positive pointing of suggestions and actions.
while all the people you quoted, pictures you have posted all have positive intentions they could have phrased their messages better such that we use positive language through out the message. I find in my life the idea has had a remarkable effect on me. Of course I'm still working on mastering it.
First picture for instance:
rephrase of what Helen Keller could have said: Good things can be done with hope and confidence. (It's linearly positive thinking direction)
It's just more specific and positively directional.
Gemeda
http://www.indi101.com
Posted by: gemeda | July 30, 2012 at 02:50 PM