Jump to content
The forums have been archived and are now read only. Years of great info saved for your reading pleasure. Thank you! Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NakedInvestor/ ×
The Naked Investor Forums
West Coast Girl

The Jar of Life!

Recommended Posts

I thought this was an excellent illustration of our busy, busy lives. Take

the time to read it and think about how "the sand sneaks up on us".

 

 

 

One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business

students’ and to drive home a point, used an illustration those students would never forget.

 

As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He then produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside he asked, 'is this jar full?"

 

Everyone in the class said, "Yes". He then replied, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "is the jar full?" By this time, the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good", he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and gravel. Once more he asked, "Is this jar full?"

 

"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, “Good”. He grabbed pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was full to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked. "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you really try hard, you can always fit some more things in it!" "No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.

What are the 'big rocks' in your life? Your children ... Your loved ones ... Your education ... Your dreams ... A worthy cause ... Teaching or mentoring others ... Doing things that you love ... Time for yourself ... Your health … Your significant other? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all.

 

If you sweat the little stuff (the gravel and sand) then you'll fill your life with little things you worry about that don't really matter, and you'll never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff (big rocks).

 

So tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question:

 

What are the big rocks in my life?

 

Then put those in your jar first!

 

By: Anonymous!

 

WCG!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Great stuff, Jean! It's always good to be reminded to review our priorities. Thanks for sharing that. <_<

 

This is great! I attended a time management seminar when I was still working in one company and the moderator did an actual demonstration! She brought a big jar, rocks, sand, etc. It was great and everyone appreciated it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...