Are You Missing the Rocks?

QUIT = Quickly Uphold Important Things. Richie Norton, Author

Keeping our values, or what’s most important to us, in the forefront of our life can be a challenge. We all hear ourselves or our friends say, “I don’t have time to exercise,” or “Eating out is much easier, I don’t have time to cook,” or “I’m so busy I barely see my friends anymore.” And yet, if asked, these same people would say that health and friends are two of the most important aspects of their life.

Think of your life as a large jar. Place the stones of your life in first – those things that are most important like health, family, friends, personal well-being, faith. Next, add the sand – less important but constant activities like involvement in an organization that’s meaningful to you. Finally, fill your jar with water. The water represents inconsequential but often time-consuming activities like watching television, playing computer games or surfing. If the jar is first filled with sand and water, there will be no room for the rocks. Keep a jar on your counter or desk as a reminder to first fill your life with what’s most important.

Affirmation: I will fill my life with what’s most important to me.

Coaching questions: What fills your imaginary jar? If it’s missing the rocks of your life, what will you do to make a course correction? What’s one step you will take today to move you towards emptying your jar of all the water and sand and add the big rocks?