Big Rocks First, Sand Last

Not sure if you have ever heard this story before, but here is my take on this wonderful story that a teacher shared with students.

A teacher places a large mason jar on the table and faces her students. “This is your life,” she says. “It is yours to fill with whatever you wish.”

The teacher takes a bag of big rocks and carefully places them one by one in the jar until it is full. “These rocks are the big important things in your life that you will be the most proud of at the end of your days.”

The teacher then takes several handfuls of pebbles and lets them fall into the jar. She shakes the jar gently so the pebbles fill the space between the rocks. “These are the secondary things in your life that gives it meaning, but perhaps are not ‘your life’s work’.

The teacher then takes sand and pours it into the jar, filling the space between the pebbles. “Lastly, the sand is the little things that fills our days, like watching TV, reading a book or playing games.”

The teacher looks out over her students and asks, “Can you see what would happen if I started with the sand or the pebbles?”

If we start with the big goals in our lives, then the smaller things will move around to fill the leftover space, but the reverse is not true. If we start with the sand, then there will be no space left for pebbles or rocks. We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day, but we need to be smart and focused on how we spend them if we want to reach our goals and dreams.

It might sound obvious to focus on the important things but many people don’t practice it. It is all too easy to idle away the sands of time on Facebook, YouTube or in front of the TV. It is also very easy to focus too much on nice but really unimportant ‘busy work’. We can effectively bury ourselves under that mountain of pebbles. Remember that the rocks are heavy and thus take time, strength and discipline to budge.

It is most important to identify what your personal rocks are. Which goals do you dream about completing? What do you want to fill your life with? What would make you the most proud? Dream BIG!

Second, pick couple of rocks and set all the others aside. Don’t divide your attention over too many projects or you’ll spread yourself thin. You can switch rocks later, but at any given time, only commit to a few of them.

Identify your pebbles. These are smaller and quicker goals that you could complete in a few days of work. You may also want to take a moment and reflect on the sand you use to fill in the cracks of your time. They should be the things you love doing and that help you to relax and have fun. Get rid of the ‘bad sand’ because it will drain your energy. Think about how you could get rid of it.

After you complete the exercise, you are ready to start working. Each day, work on your rocks for as long as you have the ability or energy. When you have that mental block, take some creative time away from your rocks or switch to your pebbles. Take your mind off the big things by finishing off a smaller project. If you don’t feel like picking up a pebble and you need to recharge your batteries, then turn to your sand. Relax and read a book, go dancing or do something else that is your passion.

Then......Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!