The Jam Jar Illustration

A few months ago I read The Big Book of Me: Become your own life coach by Nina Grunfeld, Short Books (2006). In it she describes the Jam Jar Illustration. At the time I was impressed and took it on board with regards to my writing. However, since having Jamie it applies to every part of your life and makes you think about what really matters....Here goes:

Imagine a jam jar into which you put 3 large stones. It seems quite full. Now tip in as many pebbles as you can. Watch them go into all the cracks. Is the jar full now? Not quite. Pour in some sand. That will seep in between the pebbles. The jar must be full now. No its not. Pour in some water until the water reaches the brim. Your jam jar is now full.

Now try doing it the other way round. Put in the same amount of water, then sand, then pebbles. Now try putting in the stones – they won’t fit. They’ll stick out at the top, resting on the pebbles and sand which have sunk to the bottom.

This is a metaphor for your life:
The jam jar = your day.
The Stones = your priorities / goals – the things that will move you forward in your life.
The Pebbles = fixed commitments (work, committee meetings, evening classes).
The Sand = other major chores you have to do (commuting, food shopping, school runs).
The Water = never ending little tasks (replying to emails, paying bills, tidying up).

Some of our days can appear full of water or sand. It’s difficult to fit the stones in and feels frustrating. You can’t move forward.

Take control. Every day, first schedule in your goals (the stones) so your other priorities (pebbles, sand, water) have to fit around them... That way, even if you have a day that appears full of water (niggly tasks) you can work out an appropriate stone (goal) for it e.g. instead of being annoyed that you have to stay in all day and wait for the plumber, think of a stone you can do at home while you’re waiting for them. Or make mending the blocked drain one of your stones, then you won’t mind waiting.

Your stones are the future of your life – so find time for them first.

3 stones are about right for a day. Each stone is a very small chunk – the very next thing that you want to do on your project or towards your goal. It’s a manageable piece of your goal. Once it is done you break off another chunk (your next stone) and so on, until the goal is completed. Make each chunk small so you can achieve it and give yourself a feeling of satisfaction.

Remember....

...You'll never have enough money to buy all the stuff you don't really need, and you'll never have enough time to do all the things you really don't want to do.
www.timetowrite.blogs.com

Shoot me....

If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of 'The Elements of Style'. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they're happy. - Dorothy Parker