Here’s a story circulating the Internet which I first heard 10 years ago. Back then, the visual image really resonated with me … I placed a large, empty jar on my dresser and kept it there for several months as a reminder. Of course, the addition of the coffee cups to the story has extra meaning for me now as wisewomencoffeechat.com is about to launch.

What tricks do you use to remind yourself to put “first things first?” P.S. Thanks to Becky in Texas for passing this along.

A professor stood before his philosophy 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 an 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—and 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. 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 the coffee
represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’

The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.