Big Rocks
The Big Rocks Analogy: An Introduction
Have you ever encountered the “Big Rocks” Analogy? Picture this: a professor stands before his class with an empty aquarium and three large containers on his desk. Initially, from the first container, the professor fills the aquarium to the top with really large rocks, each about 3 – 4 inches around. Subsequently, he asks his students if the aquarium is full. Unsurprisingly, they affirm it is.
Next, the professor takes a container of marbles and pours them into the aquarium. The marbles navigate their way into the crevices between the larger rocks, especially as the professor sifts the aquarium back and forth, filling it to the brim. “Full now?” he queries. The students, now a little wary, again answer yes.
Then, the professor takes a container of sand and meticulously fills the aquarium, ensuring the tiny granules of sand fill the spaces between the marbles and the large rocks. The students, absorbing the lesson, remain silent. Consequently, the professor elucidates that the aquarium symbolizes our lives; they have only so much room. He emphasizes that if we prioritize the “big rocks” of life first, there will inevitably be room for the less important things. Conversely, if we fill our “aquariums” with sand first, there will be no room left for the bigger things of life.
Identifying Your Big Rocks
So, what constitute the “big rocks”? Historically, in our previously Judeo-Christian culture, most people would have cited “Faith, Spouse, and Family”. Furthermore, I would argue that our health is also a “big rock” since a breakdown here will profoundly affect everything else. If these priorities are nestled into our lives first, there will always be room for the “marbles” like career, friends, entertainment, and so on. Moreover, if these “little rocks,” or “marbles,” are placed secondarily, there’s still room for all those other activities that can make life awfully busy without necessarily enhancing our marriages, families, or our health.
Conversely, if we clutter our lives with sand and marbles first, there’s no space left for the big rocks of life. For instance, if our career overshadows our marriage, our marriages may eventually crumble. In fact, taking our important relationships or our health for granted will, in due course, lead to their deterioration and adversely affect our career and other aspects of our lives.
Reflection on Life Priorities
Thus, it’s imperative to ask ourselves: what are the big rocks in our life? Are they receiving the attention they merit? Have you paused and contemplated what your true priorities are? If you will, I believe you’ll discover that the pivotal aspects of life genuinely are our relationships and our mental, physical, and spiritual health. The old adage rings true – I’ve never seen a U-Haul hooked up to a hearse. We really can’t take the “stuff” with us when we depart.
Leaving a Legacy
Nevertheless, we can leave a legacy. We can nurture ourselves so that we can love our spouses, our children, and our families to the fullest. Taking enough time away from work enables us to perform at our peak potential. Notably, we can impact our families, friends, co-workers, and customers more positively when we practice a faith that cultivates selflessness and love.
Managing Life’s Urgencies
Finally, another advantage of prioritizing the “big rocks” in our lives is that we’ll also become less anxious about the less important but seemingly more urgent things that can overwhelm us. Therefore, let’s take a moment for self-reflection: what are your “Big Rocks”? Start intentionally making time for them; carving time out of your busy schedule. Assuredly, there will be time remaining for the sand.