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 reply, “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?
“Now 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 small 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
I love this! I believe it was a Steven Covey story in Principled Centered Leadership.
Correct. Covey has a short video outlining this as well. A great ‘principle’ that is very teachable (though not always as adopted as readily!)
Unfortunately, one is seldom presented with an empty jar. Your parents, your teachers, your friends, and your neighbors will have spent a great deal of time and effort stuffing *their* rocks into your jar at a time when you are most susceptible to them and least aware that they are going into the jar. To grow into adulthood, everyone must replace some of those rocks, even the biggest ones, with rocks appropriate to the kind of life one wishes to live. It is not always easy.
This is so true! I definitely had a parent who insisted in not only filling my jar with her rocks, but was intent on trying to make my jar a clone of hers, and take full credit…that didn’t work out well for her or our relationship when I continually refused to do so.
Brava to you! I waited a bit too long to start redistributing the rocks of my life, but I think I made up for it later.