“Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.”
Dr. Stephen R. Covey
I just filled out my dry erase board calendar I keep in the kitchen. School closings, kids’ extra-curricular activities, holidays, birthdays and trips. It keeps me and my family sane. I can see through the end of November how full our lives will be. My work calendar is similar. Operating in a 90-day world feels cozy and manageable. It helps to weed out the daily tasks from the larger goals that move us toward the greater pursuit of happiness. How can a calendar do that you ask?
Dr. Stephen Covey uses an analogy of a glass mason jar and fills it with rocks, pebbles, sand, and water (in that order) to demonstrate that by choosing to fill your jar in this way one can create space for what is most important, not just what is urgent.
Overlay that thinking on your calendar and it really lights a fire. Consider the rocks as personal goals for yourself. Taking care of you so you can show up for the loved ones in your life is important. It’s easy to let personal goals slide when 1 – you haven’t set any and 2 – you fill your jar with the nitty gritty sand first. Here are a few ideas to spark a change:
Rocks
- Commit: To a fall race, new gym, or neighborhood challenge that will motivate you and keep you accountable.
- Drop a bad habit or start a healthy one: No processed foods, sugar, and/or alcohol. Eating out less.
- Mental Health: Get more sleep. Call a friend that makes you happy. You get the idea.
Pebbles
Choose your own adventure here! What will create ease for you? Finding life hacks to cut time on the tasky chores so you can prioritize the rocks you create is everything. For the next 90 days, try something that will make your life easier. Order groceries or a meal delivery service. Set a time limit to to your social media scrolling. Make walking or workout dates with a friend or partner to connect.
Sand
Inevitably, something will trip up your beautiful plan. An unexpected deadline at work, a sick child, a rough day that sends you for the cookie jar. That’s okay. Get back on track and stay focused on the rock, on the positive force of change.
Water
What else fills you up? What areas do you need to create space? We can’t solve all of life’s problems in 90 days. Leave room for long-term goals so you can divide and conquer the short-term goals.
Ninety Days. Twelve weeks. Three Months. How will you spark change with your rocks?
Andrea Jones is a mother of three, marathon runner, and entrepreneur. She is co-founder of Alchemy 365, Union Fitness and recently started Great Pursuits MN where she helps Twin Cities businesses find vision, traction, and team health as an EOS Implementor.
