What is in your Jar?

I love the story in Orrin Woodward's book, Resolved, on the importance of putting in the big rocks first. (Pg. 39). If you remember the story, the presenter had filled a wide-mouth jar to the top with big rocks to where no more would fit.  After doing that, the presenter then added gravel, next he added sand, and finally water.  That jar was used to its capacity.  The interesting thing in the analogy is, if the presenter had started with any other ingredient-water, sand or gravel the materials would not have fit. It is only because he had put the big rocks in first that everything was able to fill the jar.  Our lives are just like the jar. Every one of us has obligations, priorities and choices that we make daily that are either water, sand, gravel or the big rocks.

The question that comes to my mind is what are the big rocks that you are putting first?  Or are you even starting with the big rocks, maybe sand or gravel or water is consuming your jar and you are leaving the big rocks sitting on the table.

I hear people all the time say, "I would like to do that, but I don't have time."  We all have the same 24 hours in a day, so what this person is really saying is, "I don't value that enough to make it happen."  I have watched business partners of mine, myself included, do amazing things when their business is a big rock. When laser focus is employed great things happen!!  I've also seen and experienced the opposite- water, sand or gravel filling the jar before it's even noticed.

I believe it is important to always evaluate your life plan and make sure you look at your big rocks and look at your schedule and make sure they line up.  It is very easy to get caught up in the busyness of life.  I know it happens to me all the time IF I don't ask myself,  Are my big rocks lining up with my schedule?

It is always eye opening to me when someone says to me, "I want to make this goal happen by this date!" But when I look at their daily schedule I know what they said they wanted to do but their actions show that their goal is not a big rock.  Self deception is a devious suitor!  The only way that I can make sure I am "living" my big rocks is to make sure I continually revisit my schedule.  I challenge you to do the same!  If you want great things to happen then you need to plan for them!

Ask yourself, what am I running for? And then, check last month's schedule and see if it says the same thing.  Don't allow yourself to be self deceived.   If you are honest with yourself on these points amazing things can happen.  I know I have a lot to learn and I know I need to work on this also.  but I also know that when I am diligent about this process my life is on fire for my purpose! Remember,  YOUR SCHEDULE SPEAKS SO LOUDLY I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

Put the big rocks in first