A young ensign had nearly completed his first overseas tour of duty when he was given the opportunity to prepare his ship to "set sail." With a stream of crisp commands, he had the decks buzzing with sailors and soon the ship was churning slowly out of the channel.

The ensign's efficiency was remarkable. In fact, the talk was that he had set a new record for getting the ship underway. His bubble was burst, however, when he was handed a radio message from the captain.

"My personal congratulations upon completing your underway
preparation exercise according to the book and with amazing speed," it read. "But next time wait until your captain is aboard before getting underway!"

What good is a ship without the captain? The ensign did all the right things, but he never did the most important thing!

It is a matter of priorities. You may accomplish a great deal every day. But are you accomplishing the truly important things? To borrow the language of Stephen Covey, have you put first things first?

In marriage and relationships, in work and career, in the areas of mental, physical and spiritual health, are you truly doing the
important things?

It is never a matter of doing more. To determine to squeeze more timein every day for exercise, reading or spiritual devotion usually does not last long. More people find success in deciding what is truly important and doing it first. And if some of the other "stuff" never gets done, will you miss it?

Today, will you put first things first? And how about tomorrow? And the next day? If so, you will one day discover that you are building a life that counts.

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Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com.