First Things First details a fourth-generation time management system prioritizing importance over urgency.

It emphasizes aligning actions with personal values and principles, focusing on "first things"—living, loving, learning, and leaving a legacy.

Covey presents a framework for achieving this through weekly planning, goal setting, and cultivating interdependence in relationships. The approach encourages self-awareness, conscience-driven decision-making, and the creation of synergistic partnerships to maximize personal and collective effectiveness.

Ultimately, it promotes a principle-centered life, leading to greater personal peace and fulfillment.