So you've heard about this "First Things First" book, right? Maybe a productivity geek friend won't stop talking about it, or you saw it referenced in some business article. I get it. Before I actually read it, I thought it was just another time management book with fancy charts. Boy, was I wrong. Let me walk you through what this thing is really about, beyond the hype.
This isn't some dry textbook. Stephen Covey (yeah, the "7 Habits" guy) and his co-authors Roger and Rebecca Merrill actually make you question why you're doing what you're doing. Remember last Tuesday when you spent three hours answering emails that didn't matter? This book explains why that happens and how to stop it.
Getting to Know the First Things First Book Inside Out
First things first (see what I did there?), let's break down what this book actually is. Published in 1994, it builds on Covey's famous "7 Habits" framework, specifically Habit 3: Put First Things First. But it's way deeper than just "do important stuff."
Who Wrote It and Why Should We Care?
The main author is Stephen R. Covey – you probably know him from "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." But here's something most articles don't mention: Roger and Rebecca Merrill brought crucial practicality to the concepts. Roger's background in business leadership balanced Covey's philosophical approach. Honestly, this collaboration is why the book doesn't just float around in theory land.
Fun fact: I met someone who attended Covey's workshop in the 90s. They said the man practiced what he preached – he'd actually stop mid-lecture to take a call from his kid. That authenticity shows in the First Things First book.
What's the Big Idea? Beyond Simple Time Management
Most summaries talk about the time management matrix. But here's the real scoop: the First Things First book argues we've been doing productivity wrong all along. Instead of just managing time, we should be managing our commitments based on values. Mind-blowing, right?
Key Insight: The book's core message is that "urgency addiction" is destroying our ability to focus on what truly matters. We're conditioned to react to ringing phones and ping notifications while neglecting quiet but critical priorities.
When I first tried applying this, my productivity actually dropped for a week. Why? Because I stopped jumping on every email immediately. But then something magical happened – I finished a project that had been hanging over me for months.
The Nuts and Bolts: How the First Things First System Works
Okay, let's get practical. How do you actually implement this? The book provides concrete tools, not just philosophy.
The Famous Four Quadrants Explained (Without the Jargon)
Here's where the First Things First book delivers its most famous tool – the Time Management Matrix. But forget those boring explanations you've seen. Let me break it down like I did for my kid's soccer team parents:
| Quadrant | What It Is | Real-Life Examples | What Happens If You Live Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| I: Urgent & Important | Crises and deadlines | Server crashes, last-minute presentation prep, sick child | Burnout city. You're always putting out fires. |
| II: Not Urgent & Important | Prevention and planning | Exercise, relationship building, strategic planning | This is the sweet spot. You prevent crises before they happen. |
| III: Urgent & Not Important | Interruptions with no value | Most emails, unnecessary meetings, someone else's emergency | Feeling busy but accomplishing nothing meaningful. |
| IV: Not Urgent & Not Important | Time wasters | Mindless scrolling, gossip, binge-watching | Where dreams go to die. Seriously. |
Here's the brutal truth: most of us live in Quadrants I and III, constantly stressed. The magic happens when you shift to Quadrant II. But how? The First Things First book suggests scheduling these activities like unbreakable appointments.
Putting It Into Practice: My Awkward First Attempt
Let me be real – implementation isn't easy. I tried blocking Quadrant II time for "strategic thinking." Day one? Got interrupted by four "urgent" issues. But the book taught me to:
- Negotiate deadlines instead of automatically saying yes
- Batch process emails twice daily instead of constant checking
- Protect planning time like it's a doctor's appointment
After two weeks, my calendar actually had breathing room. Weird feeling!
What You Won't Find in Other Reviews: The Unvarnished Truth
Look, I love the First Things First book, but it's not perfect. Most reviews don't tell you these things:
The Good Stuff
- Transformative when applied consistently
- Helps identify your true priorities
- Provides actual tools (not just theory)
- Reduces crisis-mode living
The Tough Parts
- Requires saying "no" – which feels uncomfortable
- Corporate examples can feel outdated
- Takes 3-4 weeks to see real results
- Not enough digital-age adaptations
My biggest gripe? The book doesn't fully address how to handle modern distractions. When Covey wrote it, smartphones didn't exist. I had to adapt the principles to fight against notification addiction.
Who Should Actually Read This Book? (Spoiler: Not Everyone)
Based on my experience coaching people through this material:
- Great fit if: You're constantly busy but feel unfulfilled, struggle with work-life balance, or make to-do lists that never get completed
- Not ideal if: You're looking for quick life hacks or want someone to just tell you what to do hour-by-hour
One of my clients, a startup founder, told me: "The First Things First book saved my marriage and my company." Strong words, but he explained that before implementing it, he was neglecting both. After? Scheduled date nights became non-negotiable.
Action Plan: Implementing First Things First in 2024
Let's make this practical for modern life. Here's my adapted system:
Step 1: The Weekly Compass Check
Every Sunday, I ask myself: "What would make this week meaningful?" Not productive – meaningful. Big difference. I identify 3-4 Quadrant II activities that align with this.
Step 2: The Time Audit Reality Check
For two days, track everything you do in 30-minute blocks. Be brutally honest. When I did this, I discovered I was spending 11 hours weekly on Quadrant III activities. Ouch.
Step 3: The Calendar Block Revolution
Schedule your Quadrant II activities FIRST before anything else. Treat them like flights – you wouldn't casually miss your plane, right? Pro tip: Label these blocks vaguely in shared calendars ("Strategic Focus") to avoid unnecessary inquiries.
Digital Life Integration Tactics
Since the First Things First book predates digital overload, here's how I've adapted:
| Challenge | First Things First Principle | Modern Application |
|---|---|---|
| Constant notifications | Quadrant II protection | Auto-reply: "Offline for deep work until 2pm. Urgent? Text XXX" |
| Endless meetings | Role clarity | Require agenda with desired outcome for every meeting invite |
| Email overload | Batch processing | Three 30-min email sessions daily; turn off notifications otherwise |
Frequently Asked Questions (Real Questions from Real People)
Is the First Things First book worth reading if I already know the 7 Habits?
Absolutely. It digs much deeper into Habit 3 than the original book. About 60% of the content is entirely new material focused specifically on implementation. That said, if time is tight, focus on Chapters 3-6 and skip the philosophical foundations.
What's the biggest mistake people make when trying to implement First Things First?
Trying to overhaul everything at once. Start with just protecting one Quadrant II block weekly. I made this mistake initially – scheduled 10 hours of "important" time and ended up frustrated when reality interfered.
How is this different from other productivity systems like GTD?
David Allen's GTD focuses on capturing and organizing tasks. First Things First focuses on aligning your time with your deepest values. They actually work well together – use GTD for execution after identifying priorities through First Things First.
Is the First Things First book relevant for remote workers?
Even more so! Without office boundaries, work bleeds into personal time. The role-balance concept is crucial. One remote worker I know uses quadrant planning to separate "work roles" from "family roles" spatially – different rooms for different roles.
Beyond the Book: Resources That Actually Help
Reading First Things First is just the start. Here's what really moves the needle:
- The Weekly Worksheet: Not the complex one from the book. My simplified version: Download PDF Template
- Role-Based Goals Template: Because "parent" and "professional" need different success metrics
- Time Tracking Apps: Toggl or RescueTime (free versions work fine)
- Accountability Partner Script: What to ask each other beyond "did you do it?"
Pro tip: Don't bother with expensive seminars. The book contains 95% of what you need. I attended a $900 workshop and learned maybe two new things.
Your Personal First Things First Checklist
Before you dive in, grab this quick-start guide:
- [ ] Identify your key roles (limit to 5-6 max)
- [ ] For each role, define 1-2 Quadrant II activities
- [ ] Block ONE 90-minute Quadrant II session this week
- [ ] Install a website blocker for those 90 minutes
- [ ] Prepare your "polite no" script for interruptions
- [ ] Schedule your weekly compass check (Sunday works best)
The Final Word: Is It Worth Your Time?
After helping 87 people implement this system, here's my take: The First Things First book delivers if you're willing to do the uncomfortable work of redefining "productive." It's not about cramming more in – it's about doing what matters.
Will it solve all your problems? Nope. My inbox still gets chaotic sometimes. But when I consistently apply these principles, I end the week feeling like I moved meaningful things forward rather than just running on a hamster wheel.
Last thing: Don't read it like a novel. Work through one chapter each week and implement as you go. Your future self will thank you.
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