Emptying the Jar: What 'Stones in the Jar' misses out

In today's fast-paced world, managing our time effectively is essential. Big projects often loom over us, seeming daunting and overwhelming. Like many I've drawn extensively on Greg McKeown's philosophy of making life more effortless. He uses the story of the "stones in a jar" which I've seen discussed regularly but it misses an important point - how often do we truly get the chance to start over? To make space for innovation or novel ideas by "emptying the jar". The Story of the Stones in the Jar:

Imagine a classroom with a professor standing before a group of students, eager to teach them an essential lesson in time management. In front of him, there is a large, empty jar, and beside it, a pile of rocks, pebbles, sand, and water.

The professor begins by explaining that the jar represents our life, and the rocks, pebbles, sand, and water symbolize various tasks and commitments. He starts by filling the jar with the largest rocks, explaining that these represent our most important tasks, such as significant projects and long-term goals.

As the jar appears full with the large rocks, he asks the class, "Is the jar full?" The students nod in agreement, thinking that it can't possibly hold anything more. But the professor then surprises them by pouring in the pebbles, which fit neatly into the spaces around the rocks.

The pebbles represent smaller but still significant tasks that contribute to our goals, like daily work responsibilities. Again, he asks, "Is the jar full?" The students begin to catch on and respond with a cautious, "Maybe not."

The professor proceeds to pour in the sand, filling the remaining gaps in the jar. The sand symbolizes the numerous minor tasks and distractions that can clutter our lives if we let them. Finally, he pours in the water, which fills the jar to the brim. The water signifies all the time-consuming yet inconsequential activities that can soak up our time if we're not careful.

This story reflects the principle of essentialism, championed by Greg McKeown in his book "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less." Essentialism teaches us to focus on the "big rocks" in our lives—the most important tasks, projects, and goals. By identifying and prioritizing these significant elements, we can ensure that they receive our time and attention.

Emptying the Jar

But here is where I face a problem. We don't have perfectly linear careers or lives which means we choose once what stones - big or small - to add to the jar. When I reflect I see that one of the contributors to my own challenges with stress are related to the fact that long-completed projects still require me to answer questions or meet demands for further work.

We need to be able to empty the jar. Thinking of my own career the default seems to be that only major changes provide the chance to empty your jar at work.

1. Change of Role: Sometimes, a change within your current role or organization can provide the freshness you need. It may involve taking on different responsibilities, collaborating with new teams, or exploring new projects within your current context.

2. Career Break: A career break offers a deliberate pause in your professional journey to explore new horizons, gain fresh perspectives, or invest in personal growth. It's a strategic move that can lead to personal and professional growth while ensuring that you remain engaged and fulfilled in your chosen path.

It's crucial to recognize that emptying the jar shouldn't necessarily mean leaving your current situation or job. If we want to retain our colleagues in the long term we need to provide them alternatives to creating space to "empty their jars" and move to novel projects. Instead, we could consider alternative milestones to support a significant shift in responsibilities or projects

3. Long Holiday: Taking a long holiday allows you to recharge, gain perspective, and return to your tasks with renewed energy and creativity. It's an opportunity to relax, reflect, and refocus. That might mean you come back with new ideas for existing projects but alternatively, you might need support to put things down to pursue new ideas and new tasks.

4. Project Completion: Completing a significant project is like removing a large rock from your jar. It's an achievement worth celebrating, and it opens up space for new ventures and goals.

The "Stones in Jar" technique serves as a powerful metaphor for effective time management and aligns seamlessly with the principles of essentialism and effortless living. By prioritizing our "big rocks" while efficiently managing the smaller tasks, we can strike a balance between tackling significant projects, embracing career breaks, and achieving personal growth without the need for drastic departures from our current roles. Remember, emptying the jar isn't always about leaving; it's about making thoughtful choices to create space for rejuvenation, personal development, and new opportunities. Embracing this wisdom can help us lead more fulfilling, balanced, and purpose-driven lives in today's demanding world.