I have heard several variations of this narrative, however I have not been able to track down the source of this tale or its author.

I have heard several variations of this narrative, however I have not been able to track down the source of this tale or its author. I am sure that most of you have heard or read this story before. A teacher brings a large gallon glass jar in to the classroom. He sets it on a nearby table. Then, he pulls out a box of rocks and sets it next to the jar. He clears his throat, gestures to the rocks, and asks, Who would like to show us how much you can fit in the jar? Someone volunteers, he is summoned forward. He works quickly but carefully, astutely positioning rocks in the jar until it is satiated. Is the jar full? the teacher inquires. Yes! the students reply in strong unison. Can you fit any more in the jar? he asks. No! is the enthusiastic chorus. Next, the instructor produces a bag of pebbles, How about now? Somewhat hesitantly, another student raises her hand and is again beckoned forward. With greater care and less haste, she places a handful of pebbles at the top and by tapping, shaking, and rotating the jar, they make their way to fill the gaps below. Satisfied she has done her best, with hopeful confidence she returns to her chair. Is the jar full? the educator again inquires. Um, yes, is the students' cautious reply. Can you fit any more in the jar? he questions. No, they guardedly answer. Next, the instructor brings out a pail of sand. Many students begin to smile. How about now? he inquires. So another volunteer comes back to the table and using the same technique, filters the fine sand through the coarser maze of rocks and pebbles. The teacher gleefully asks, Is the jar full now? No one will venture a response. Whatever they might say, they fear it would be wrong. The professor ignores their silence, Can you fit any more in the jar? he questions. No answer. Without a word, the teacher reaches under the podium and brings forth a pitcher of water. Some students groan; others smile. Unable to contain himself, grinning he inquires, How about now? He doesn't ask for volunteers, but slowly he begins pouring the water into the jar. Gradually, it permeates every crack and crevice. He fills it to the top and then adds a bit more to overflow the jar. There is no doubt that the jar is now full. What can we learn from this? is his final query. Someone ventures to say, It means that no matter how much you've got going' on, you can always fit more in! No, the teacher exclaims, It means that unless you take care of the big things first, they will never get done!" I find myself dealing with the pebbles and sand in my life, topping it off with a large supply of water. However, I've discovered that it requires thinking and planning for me to handle the rocks. Those big and important things, are the ones that I find that without careful care I put off until tomorrow. Everyone is busy! All too often, our busyness distracts us from what is important, from what really matters, those things that could truly make a difference. Time Management doesn't usually bring relief or reduce stress, it just squeezes more into an already full day. Turn time management into how we spend our time, so that we do less. Multitasking is not really doing two things at once; it is merely quickly switching back and forth. Computers do this wellhumans dont. For us, it is actually inefficient and counter-productive. Keep a Time Log to fully understand what you do and how long you spend (or waste) on it; the results will likely shock you. Just Say No to some things even good things in order to protect yourself from over-committing and therefore being too busy to do anything well. Set Limits to how much you work, otherwise you will end up working as much as you are physically and mentally able, leaving no significant time for anything else. Know Yourself: I usually handle the pebbles and sand first and then attend to the rocks if there is time. This is not wise. I am handling trivial stuff at my peak, while reserving the important tasks for my low point. It takes an ongoing effort to do key tasks for times of peak energy, while doing lesser activities to slower times in the day. Do First Things First: Once you've taken steps to resume control over life's activities, there is then time to attend to the big things. Without the pressures of the little concerns, there is the freedom to focus on the important, removing us from the rut that all too easily goes from day to day, week to week, month to month, and even year to year without accomplishing much. Please join me today in putting first things first.

Submitted by Robert McNary, 4-H Youth Development Specialist

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Extension: Taking care of the rocks in your life - Lifestyle - The ... - Carthage Press