What REALLY matters to you?

Here's a funny but powerful way to think about it.

Achieve more of what matters to you

So what really matters to you?

Let’s have a think with this wonderful – and funny – story on the meaning of life

A professor stood before his class

A professor stood before his class with a collection of items in front of him.

And when the class had settled he picked up a large, empty glass jar and filled it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full – and they agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a jar of small pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly – and the pebbles rolled into the open spaces between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full – and they agreed that it was.

Then the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled up all the remaining space between the pebbles – and he asked once more if the jar was full.

“Yes”, the students laughed.

And finally, the professor produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured them both into the jar – filling the invisible spaces between the grains of sand.

The students were now roaring with laughter.

“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 friends, your favourite passions and your family, partner and children if you have them.

These are the things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, would still leave you with a life that’s full”

“The pebbles are other things that matter, like your job, your house and your car”

“And 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 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 to you”

“So, pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your friends; play with your children; take your medical check-ups; really listen to your partner and react to what they say; go dancing, try yoga, walk in the countryside, marvel at nature and be thankful for your freedom”

“Yes, you need to find time to do your work, clean the house and fix the bathroom light but take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter”

“Prioritise – because the rest is just sand.”

The students sat silently and considered their lives… against this wonderful model.

Then one of them raised a hand and inquired what the beer 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 couple of beers.”

More like this

If you like funny stories that involve beer … and teach valuable life lessons, you might also like this – on how to split the bar bill.

All the best for now

And thanks for dropping in …

Paul

For more ideas around money and personal performance, in an occasional newsletter, sign up here.

And, as a thank you, I’ll send you my ‘5 Steps for planning your Financial Freedom’ …

… and the first chapter of my book, ‘Who misleads you about money?’

Newsletter invite

Or, if you’d like more frequent ideas (and more interaction) …

…join my facebook group here

Join Facebook Group

And feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

You can comment as a guest (just tick that box) or log in with your social media or DISQUS account.

Discuss this article