A Balancing Act

I’d like to share a story about the importance of balancing your life that really resonated with me.  It’s a great metaphor with an invaluable message…

ROCKS, PEBBLES AND SAND

A philosophy professor stood before his class and wordlessly picked up a large empty jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles, poured them into the jar and lightly shook it. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students laughed. He asked his students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor finally picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things—your family, your partner, your health, your children—anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed. The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scale. They represent things like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else—the small stuff. If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, material things, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important to you.” Anonymous

A powerful, thought-provoking story – here are some questions to ask yourself.

  • Are you investing time & energy in all the important relationships in your life? 
  • Are you 'in balance?'
  • Do you make time for what's important for you as well as others? 
  • Is your work in balance with the rest of your life? 

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