Put the Big Rocks in First

Building the Week You Want Series: Find your big rocks

The story was told to me:

A professor brought a large glass jar before his students. From behind the podium, he pulled out three large rocks. Placing them all into the jar, he asks:

Is the jar full?

Yes, replied the class. The jar is full.

From behind the podium, he produced a pail of gravel. Pouring it into the jar and over the big rocks, he asks:

Is the jar full?

Yes, replied the class. The jar is now full.

Returning to the podium the Professor pulls out a bag of sand. Pouring it into the jar and over the big rocks, pausing to carefully shake the sand between the gravel, he asks:

Is the jar full?

Yes, replied the class. The jar is completely full.

The professor returns behind the podium and extracts a picture full of water. Pouring the water into the jar, allowing time for it to seep into every unfilled crack and crevice.

Now the Professor asks, what's the lesson to be learned here?

One student sticks up their hand and tentatively replies "You can always fit something else in?"

“No, states the professor. That is most definitely not the lesson.”

The lesson is this...

You must get the big rocks in first.