Fewer Rocks

Many of us are familiar with the idea of putting the big rocks (aka the important things) into our life and schedule first. The jar is only so big, in other words we only have a specific amount of time in our day or week. The big rocks theory says that to fit everything into the jar, we need to put the big rocks in first, not all the little things (that is the smaller stones and sand in the picture below). If you are not familiar with the big rocks idea here is the link to a short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAzMGtJypsE .

The big rocks idea has truth in it. You can fit more things into the jar if you start with the big things first, as the little things will fit in around the big rocks. There is merit in making sure that what you have decided is important gets the time and attention it requires in your life.

Everything can fit into the jar. But if the jar is pretty much full to the top, adding in another smaller rock often means backing up and adjusting what you put in when and how. Some days it takes a lot of adjusting, rejigging, and brain power to coordinate and plan to ensure everything fits in the jar. This can be mentally exhausting.

There are also alternatives to the big rock approach. What if instead of the on-going and frequent energy required to rejig and adjust, you put the effort reducing the number or volume of things you are trying to fit into the jar. What if you had fewer rocks? What if there was less small stones? How might you reduce the amount of sand?

What rocks, big or small, do you need to take out of your jar? What gravel or sand can be eliminated? Would reducing the number and/or amount of things in your life be more effective for you than focusing on putting the big rocks in first?