Ever since I quit my job July 2, 2010 to start a company, I’ve been working non-stop. As I prepare to begin several new business ventures, my workload is only going to increase. My Dad sent the following story in an email one night and it’s a story that everyone should read and keep in mind no matter what they’re doing in life.
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A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly 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 Beers from under the table and poured
them in the jar, filling the empty space between
the grains of sand.
Laughter
This jar represents a life.
The golf balls are the important things—family, children,
your health, your friends and your passions—and if
everything else was lost and only they remained, 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.
It is kinda like that with my life…and your life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will
never have room for the things that are important.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse 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 about the beer?”
The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’
“No matter how full your life may seem,
there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.”
–
Thanks for the reminder Dad.
