First Things First - Deepstash

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CH. 1 — The Deathbed Test

Big Idea: Being busy ≠ being fulfilled.

Quote: “How many people on their deathbed wish they had spent more time at the office?”

Micro Action: Write your “deathbed priorities” — then circle the one you’re neglecting most.

24

148 reads

CH. 2 — Clock vs. Compass

Big Idea: Don’t just manage time — lead your life.

Quote: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

Micro Action: Draw two circles: What matters most vs. What takes your time. Compare.

25

113 reads

CH. 3 — The Urgency Addiction

Big Idea: Urgency feels important — but usually isn’t.

Quote: “Addiction to urgency is the enemy of effectiveness.”

Micro Action: Track how often you jump into “urgent” but meaningless tasks today.

24

99 reads

CH. 4 — To Live, Love, Learn, Leave a Legacy

Big Idea: These are the real “first things.”

Quote: “A meaningful life is made of contribution, not consumption.”

Micro Action: Pick one area (live, love, learn, legacy) and set a 5-min ritual to grow it daily.

24

93 reads

CH. 5 — The Main Thing

Big Idea: Clarity creates freedom.

Quote: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Micro Action: List your top 3 values. Use them to say “no” at least once today.

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83 reads

CH. 6 — Quadrant II Living

Big Idea: Invest time in important-but-not-urgent things.

Quote: “Effective people spend most of their time in Quadrant II.”

Micro Action: Schedule a 90-minute “Q2 block” this week: plan, reflect, dream.

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77 reads

CH. 7 — Vision Fuels Discipline

Big Idea: Vision isn’t fluff — it’s fuel.

Quote: “Without a vision, people perish. With one, they rise.”

Micro Action: Write your life vision in one sentence. Put it on your phone lock screen.

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76 reads

CH. 8 — Weekly Roles, Not Daily Chaos

Big Idea: Think in roles, not just tasks.

Quote: “Balance is planning your week by roles.”

Micro Action: List your 5 key roles (e.g., creator, friend, health-owner) and 1 weekly action for each.

20

73 reads

CH. 9 — Purpose-Driven Goals

Big Idea: Don’t chase goals — anchor them in who you are.

Quote: “Goals that grow out of principle last longer and go deeper.”

Micro Action: Rewrite one of your goals to reflect a value, not a vanity metric.

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64 reads

CH. 10 — Weekly Planning = Life Leadership

Big Idea: The week is the perfect rhythm for intentional living.

Quote: “You lead your life one week at a time.”

Micro Action: Block 30 mins every Sunday for Weekly Compass Planning.

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58 reads

CH. 11 — Integrity in Micro-Moments

Big Idea: Freedom = choosing aligned action in the moment.

Quote: “Between stimulus and response is space. In that space is our power to choose.”

Micro Action: Pause 3 times today before responding — and choose consciously.

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49 reads

CH. 12 — Practice Makes Presence

Big Idea: Principles aren’t something you check off. You live them.

Quote: “Effectiveness is the result of acting on principle, consistently.”

Micro Action: Pick one principle (truth, love, purpose) and journal: “How can I embody this today?”

20

53 reads

IDEAS CURATED BY

Different Perspectives Curated by Others from First Things First

Curious about different takes? Check out our book page to explore multiple unique summaries written by Deepstash curators:

First Things First

14 ideas

Lukas Hoi's Key Ideas from First Things First

Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, Rebecca R. Merrill

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