EMAIL #197 -7TH DECEMBER 2022 - "GETTING YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT."
Getting Your Priorities Straight.
What are your most important “Big Rocks”?
This is a special “Mid-Week” Email to make up for not sending one out last week in the wake of my son’s wedding (which was amazing other than a “mid-ceremony” down-pour of rain that saw everyone scrambling for the trees!)
This is also an unusual post because I am reproducing a brief article from the blog “Farnham Street” that has fantastic advice about “Getting Your Priorities Straight.”
I hope you find this as impactful as I do?
A high school science teacher wanted to demonstrate a concept to his students. He takes a large-mouth jar and places several large rocks in it. He then asks the class, “Is it full?”
Unanimously, the class replies, “Yes!”
The teacher then takes a bucket of gravel and pours it into the jar. The small rocks settle into the spaces between the big rocks.
He then asks the class, “Is it full?”
This time there are some students holding back, but most reply, “Yes!” The teacher then produces a large can of sand and proceeds to pour it into the jar. The sand fills up the spaces between the gravel.
For the third time, the teacher asks, “Is it full?”
Most of the students are wary of answering, but again, many reply, “Yes!”
Then the teacher brings out a pitcher of water and pours it into the jar. The water saturates the sand. At this point, the teacher asks the class, “What is the point of this demonstration?”
One bright young student raises his hand and then responds, “No matter how full one’s schedule is in life, he can always squeeze in more things!”
“No,” replies the teacher, “The point is that unless you first place the big rocks into the jar, you are never going to get them in. The big rocks are the important things in your life …your family, your friends, your personal growth. If you fill your life with insignificant things, as demonstrated by the gravel, the sand, and the water…you will never have the time for the important things.
So, what are the “Big Rocks” in your life? Spending time with your children, your parents, or your spouse? Taking the seminar or class to get the information and perspective you need to succeed? Making the time to set goals, plan or evaluate your progress? When you are hassled because there is no time, remember the story about the Big Rocks and the Jar!”
— Author Unknown
Thanks for reading,
Stay safe and always move your big rocks first
David.
