In a compelling demonstration, an expert once illustrated a profound principle about priorities to a group of ambitious business students – a lesson they, and now you, are unlikely to forget. He began by placing a wide-mouthed gallon jar on the table in front of them.
He then presented about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully put them into the jar, one by one. When the jar was visibly full, reaching the brim with no room for more rocks, he paused and asked the class, “Is this jar full?” Unanimous “yes” answers echoed back.
“Really?” he questioned, before reaching under the table again. This time, he produced a bucket of gravel and proceeded to pour it into the jar. He gently shook the jar, allowing the gravel to settle into the gaps between the larger rocks. Once the gravel had filled much of the remaining space, he looked at the students and repeated, “Is the jar full now?”
The class, now catching on, responded with a more hesitant, “Probably not.” “Good!” he exclaimed, and reached for yet another bucket, this one filled with sand. He began to pour sand into the jar, and as expected, the fine grains filtered down, occupying the spaces left by the rocks and gravel. For a third time, he inquired, “Is the jar full?”
“No!” the class confidently shouted back. Undeterred, the expert reached for a pitcher of water and started pouring it into the jar until it overflowed. Finally, he looked at the class and asked, “What is the key takeaway from this demonstration?”
One student, eager to impress, raised their hand and suggested, “It shows that no matter how packed your schedule, you can always fit more into it if you really try!”
“No,” the speaker corrected, “that’s not the point. The crucial insight this illustration reveals is: If you don’t put the Big Rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”
So, what are the big rocks in your life? Are they crucial projects demanding your attention? Is it quality time with your family and loved ones? Perhaps it’s nurturing your faith, furthering your education, managing your finances, supporting a cause you believe in, or dedicating time to teaching and mentoring? Remember, identify and prioritize these big rocks. Put them in your jar—your life—first. Otherwise, amidst the gravel, sand, and water of daily distractions, you may find there’s simply no room left for what truly matters most.
