Establish Your Priorities

An expert was given a lecture to a group of professionals. To make a point clear, he utilized an example the professionals never forgot. Standing in front of the very successful audience he said,"I want to make you a little exam..."

From under the table he took a glass jar of wide opening and put it on the table in front of him. Then he pulled out a dozen rocks of the size of a fist and started to place them one by one in the jar. When the jar was full to the brim and he could not put more rocks he asked the audience,"Is this jar full?"

All the attendants said, "Yes!"

Then he said,"Are you sure?" and he took out from under the table a bucket of small pebbles. He put some of the stones in the jar and shook it to make sure the small rocks would accommodate in the empty space between the big ones.

When he had done this he asked once more, "Is the jar full?"

This time the audience already supposed what was coming and one of the attendants said in a loud voice,"Probably not."

"Very well, answered the exponent."

He took out from under the table a bucket full of sand and started to pour it in the jar. The sand accommodated in the space between the big and small stones. Once more he asked to the group,"Is the jar full?

This time several persons responded in chorus,"No!"

Once more the expositor said,"Very well!" Then he took out a pitcher full of water and poured the water in the jar until filling it. When he finished, he looked at the audience and asked,"What do you think is the teaching of this small demonstration?"

One of the spectators raised the hand and said," The teaching is that no matter how full is our schedule, if truly you try, you'll always be able to add more things... "

"No," replied the exponent, "That is not the teaching. In truth this demonstration teaches us that if you do not put the big stones first, you will not be able to put them in any other moment. Which are the big stones in your life?,... your family, your faith, your education or your finances?, some cause you want to support? To teach what you know to others? Remember to put those big stones first or you'll not find a place for them. Take your time to clarify which are your priorities and revise how you use your time so no one be left outside, or what is worst, you be forced to take out a big stone to be able to put in sand."

When you accommodate priorities in your life and dedicate them a time of your time, these ones are sufficient for everything.