 Coaching A wonderful visual trick I have used in a few of my talks and seminars is the “coffee jar test” – have you heard of it? I start by emptying all the coffee granules out of the jar. Then I fill the jar with “rocks” by which I mean decent sized stones, right up to the top.
Most people agree at this point that the jar is full. But then out comes a bag of tiny little stones, which can be dropped in and around the “rocks”, right up to the top.
Most people agree again now that the jar is full But then the fun part involves putting most of the coffee granules back in the jar. It’s amazing how many of them fit in. Just when you thought the jar was full, you can fit in more tiny little “bits” – sometimes I use sand to make it less messy!
The fascinating thing is that this is a very good illustration of how we fill our lives. Far too often we fill our lives with “sand” – you know the everyday “stuff” we all have to do, like checking our e-mails, the dash into town for something we forgot last week, laundry, washing up, fixing the car, grocery shopping, cleaning the windows.
And we don’t manage to fit in the “rocks” or the things that really matter to us, satisfy us, fulfil us in life and make us really feel we’re living a life of purpose but with fun and freedom too.
But if we prioritise the “rocks” and ensure they are allocated time in our busy schedules, and that time is protected for the truly important things in our lives, quality time with loved ones, learning a new skill, creating something new or whatever it is that feeds and nourishes us, then the smaller stones and the “sand” still somehow fits around them.
So how about spending 10 minutes flicking through your diary and thinking about whether you would “pass the coffee jar test”? Do you generally find space for your “rocks” or do you allow your life to be filled with “sand”?
If you’d like help with this or with any other aspect of looking after your personal and professional life, and ensuring you’re living a life that is “true to you” please contact me for a free 20 minute consultation on how we can work together.
That can include working out how you can find the time in your schedule to work out a strategy to improve your life.
Wouldn’t that be a great “rock” to put in your jar?
Amanda Wise can be contacted on: Tel:0845 226 2816 Email: Amanda@WiseLifeCoaching.com Website: www.WiseLifeCoaching.com © 2006 Guiding-Light.Biz |
