“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.” – Martin Luther King.

Modern life is busy and life can pass by in a flash. It’s very easy for us to fall into the trap of getting so busy with work and feeling overwhelmed with all we have to do that we don’t have enough time for the things that we really enjoy and matter to us

In pursuit of our goals and also meeting other people’s demands and needs, we may not focus enough on what we value and is truly important to us. In doing so, we could place insufficient emphasis on meeting our own needs and desires.

The modern world is demanding and seems to have speeded up. It is changing at a faster rate than any other time in history due largely to the development of technology. We have access to more information, sources of entertainment and potential distractions than any other generation. We live in an information rich and time poor world.

To take control of our time and world and not get caught up in other people’s chaos and drama requires us to establish firm boundaries.

We need to develop great self-discipline and healthy habits in order to respect and focus sufficiently on our needs and most important priorities.

In the busyness of life, it can be easy to overlook those people closest to us and to fail to truly appreciate what other people do for us, the support they provide and how they enrich our lives.

A great metaphor with a powerful message about time management and priorities is rocks, pebbles and sand which I have included below.

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items in front of him. When class began, he wordlessly picked up a large empty mayonnaise 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 then 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. It’s 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. The pebbles 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. Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the rubbish. In your own life, be sure to take care of the rocks first, the things that really matter. Remember, the rest is only pebbles and sand.”

But then, the professor proceeded to pour in a bottle of red wine. Of course the wine filled the remaining spaces within the jar making the jar truly full. He then proceeded to conclude the story by saying “no matter how full your life is, there is always room for a fine wine!”

This week why not take a few moments out to reflect and consider if there is any action you need to take to make more time for the “rocks” in your life. Are there changes you need to make to your daily schedule or habits?

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk