BIG ROCKS FIRST

Stephen Covey is a well published author and professor at a business school in America.  His book ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ has sold millions of copies world wide.

He’s created many business methods and time management tools to help people become more successful, but is also known for a famous talk once given about big rocks and small rocks.

I’ve found it, albeit in summary, on the interwebs, and wanted to share it with you.

In the middle of a lecture, a presenter pulled out a wide-mouth jar and placed it on the table, aside to some fist-sized rocks.

After filling the jar to the top with rocks he asked, “Is the jar full?”

People could see that no more rocks would fit, so they replied, “Yes!”

“Not so fast,” he cautioned. He then got some gravel from under the table and added it to the jar, filling the spaces between the rocks. Again, he asked, “Is the jar full?”

This time the students replied “Probably not.”

The presenter then reached a bucket of sand below the table, and dumped it on the jar, filling the spaces between the rocks and the gravel. Once again he asked “Is the jar full?”

“No!”, the students shouted.

Finally, he grabbed a pitcher of water and filled the jar completely, asking to the public what they could learn from that illustration.

One of the participants answered, “If you work at it, you can always fit more into your life.”

“No,” said the presenter. “The point is, if you don’t put the big rocks in first. . . would you ever have gotten any of them in?”

It is suggested that you can apply this theory to every aspect of your life, from work to home life. 

Focus on the big things first, for they’re what gives your life structure and joy.  The rest is just filler.

Peace out.