time management

TIME MANAGEMENT

 

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget.  As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachiever s he said, "Okay, time for a quiz" and he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him.

 

He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more  rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

 

Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes."  The time management expert replied, "Really?"  He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.  He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"

 

By this time the class was on to him.  "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied.  He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand.  He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel.  Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"

 

"No!" the class shouted.  Once again he said, "Good."  Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"

 

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"  "No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point.

 

The truth this illustration teaches us is:

 

If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

 

What are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others?  Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all.

 

So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life?

 

Then, put those in your jar first.

 

-- Author Unknown

taking time.....

Therefore , why not slow down and practice patience,
as well as, take time to enjoy the simple things in life like just::

TAKING TIME
Take time to think...It is the source of
power.

Take time to play...It is the secret of
perpetual youth.

Take time to read...It is the fountain of
wisdom.

Take time to pray...It is the greatest power
on Earth.

Take time to love and be loved...It is a God-
given privilege.

Take time to be friendly...It is the road to
happiness.

Take time to laugh...It is the music of the
soul.

Take time to give...It is too short a day to be
selfish.

Take time to work...It is the price of
success.

Take time to do charity...It is the key to
Heaven.
Author Unknown

time and being too busy

We often fall into the trap of being so busy that we
become caught up in this World of ours today.  We even
seem to forget that we are only on this Earth for a short
time.  It is written,  What is your life? You are
a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes.                               ( James 4:14 )
   Therefore our Savior Jesus Christ asked us; What good
will it be for a man if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in
exchange for his soul?  So, always
remember to keep God number one in your heart and
mind, for after all Eternity is a very, very, long time indeed.
   Now as I was composing this message I received the
poem below from a dear friend.  It seems perfect to end this
message with that poem, for it is a reminder to us all.
                I knelt to pray but not for long,
                I had too much to do.
                I had to hurry and get to work
                For bills would soon be due.
                So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
                And jumped up off my knees.
                My Christian duty was now done
                My soul could rest at ease.
                All day long I had no time
                To spread a word of cheer.
                No time to speak of Christ to friends,
                They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
                No time, no time, too much to do,
                That was my constant cry,
                No time to give to souls in need
                But at last the time, the time to die.
                I went before the Lord,
                I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
                For in his hands God held a book;
                It was the book of life.
                God looked into his book and said
                "Your name I cannot find.
                I once was going to write it down...
                But never found the time"
                                                 Author Unknown
   Something to think about indeed, would you not say?  Now
have a great day and remember that God smiles everytime
He thinks about you.     Amen.