Re: [at-l] What are your rocks?

[bullard@northnet.org]

The author is not unknown. This is a standard demonstration used by Steven
Covey (author of "7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE" and other management
books) in his management seminars.

Saunterer

At 10:01 AM 7/14/99 -0700, you wrote:
>
>Came across this little ditty. Don't like to spread other emails, however I
>found this relevant to setting priorities on hiking long trails. 
>
>Enjoy!
>
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>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
>will
>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 mouth mason jar and set it on the
>Table in front of him.  Then he 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."  Then he said, "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 of the spaces left between
>the rocks and the gravel.  Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar
>full?"
>
>"No!" the class shouted.  Once again he said, "Good."
>Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was
>filled to the brim.  Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the
>point of this illustration?"
>
>One eager student raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how
>full
>your schedule is, if you try really 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?  Time with your loved ones?  Your
>faith, your education, your dreams?  A worthy cause?  Teaching or mentoring
>others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in
>at all.
>
>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.
>
>Author Unknown
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>
>Ron "Fallingwater" Moak
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>Fallingwater Journals - www.fallingwater.com
>Pacific Crest Trail Assoc. - www.pcta.org
>American Long Distance Hikers Association - West -
>www.gorp.com/nonprof/aldhaw
>
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>
>
* From the Appalachian Trail Mailing List |  http://www.backcountry.net  *

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