Phrase used to
emphasize the
importance of focusing on
necessary preliminary,
preparatory, or
immediate tasks at hand rather than the
ultimate goal or
result.
You want to retire rich from selling a screenplay to Hollywood? First things first: learn how to write a screenplay.
Stephen R. Covey uses this principle in his philosophy of time management. You want to use your time more efficiently? First things first: figure out what your values are, what's most important to you.
The name of a
1964 manifesto of
disgruntled folks in the
advertising industry who wanted to put
communication ahead of
consumerism:
First Things First Manifesto