Habit 3: Put First Things First 

Put First Things First is one of the seven habits from Stephen Covey that teaches us how to manage time wisely and focus on what really matters. This habit reminds us to put important things first, not just things that look urgent. We should choose to act based on our future goals and values, instead of always reacting to daily problems or distractions.

Covey shares a powerful quote: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” This means we should not let our busy schedule decide what we do. Instead, we should think carefully about what matters most, then make time for those things.

The values we learn from this habit include discipline, honesty, responsibility, and planning for the future. Covey says that successful people are those who know what their goals are and work on them step by step, even if other tasks seem urgent or stressful.

As ELT students, we often join many activities like meetings, projects, or competitions. Sometimes, we forget to ask ourselves, “Is this really helping me grow?” This habit helps us pause and choose what is most important for our personal and academic growth.

For future English teachers, this habit is very helpful. In class, we often face deadlines, tests, or reports. But the main goal is to help our students learn and grow. So, we need to focus on things that help them, like improving their writing, speaking, or reading skills. We must plan lessons based on students’ needs, not just follow the school schedule. Great teachers always put learning first.