Over the last couple of months, I have been thinking of writing an article on priorities for your business. During that time, I found a great little story on the web about priorities in life, and I want to share it with you this month instead of a business type of article. It’s quite profound, and I am sure it will speak to you.
A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.”
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.”
“The golf balls are the important things-your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.”
“The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.”
“The sand is everything else–the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.”
“The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.”
What a great explanation of priorities. If I asked you to name your top five priorities in life, they would probably be something to the tune of; family, friends, career, security, maybe yourself? So, I would like to now ask you… What are your priorities in life? What are they? Are you living your life according to that list, or is there some kind of disconnect? Because all of this is more important to your happiness than you think.
How does your list look? Are you spending the time doing the things that are important to you? Are you dedicating the time to what matters in your life? Making this list may lead to much reflection.
Think of your priorities. Keep them in your head. Each day should be spent working on your life priorities. If you’re living your life the way other people want you to, and not the way YOU want to, then the result will be unhappiness and resentment.
Moreover, if you’ve been sitting on the fence, dragging out a long overdue toxic relationship, or working in a dead-end job thereby letting ‘meaningful work’ take a score of zero, then get off that “comfort zone” fence, and get your priorities in line with your wants. This takes both alone time and time itself to truly figure out why you’re on this earth, and what you want out of your journey.
But take the time. Figure things out in your head. If family is a priority like you say it is, don’t forget those golf balls! Be kind, keep safe and stay healthy. Remember success demands action, keep on marketing, it’s going to work! TWITA! (That’s What I’m Talkin’ About!)
Jeff Armstrong of Armstrong Capital has been a note investor and broker specializing in the performing seller financed note industry since 1991. For more updated and current information on how he can help you with your note business, note investments, note appraisals or to request pricing options on a note visit www.armstrongcapital.com to email him and subscribe to Jeff’s Weekly Training & Tips Newsletter.