Big Rocks Little Rocks

Vision is so important to where you are going

Rocks, Sand, and Vision: A Reflection on my New Years Goals

It’s been four months since last New Year’s Eve. Time has flown — as it always does — and I find myself asking: what was my vision for my life back then? What did I hope I would accomplish this year?

There’s a story I always come back to — maybe you've heard it too. A professor walks into class carrying two empty containers and a mix of materials: large rocks, smaller stones, gravel, sand, and water.

In the first container, he fills it with sand. By the time he tries to add the rocks, there’s no room left. The second time, he starts with the big rock, adds the smaller rocks, then gravel, then sand, and finally water. Everything fits.

He looks at the class and says, “The container is your year. The big rock? That’s your vision. The smaller rocks are the steps toward it. The sand? That’s the busy stuff — emails, errands, distractions. The water? Even less essential. You choose what to put in first.”

That image stuck with me. As I reflect on this past year, I realize that sometimes I filled my days with sand — the small stuff — and ran out of room for the big rocks. But I also see where I put vision first. There’s progress.

This summer, I’m setting my sights on three classes. That’s one of my “big rocks” right now — not just for academic momentum, but for financial stability.

It's part of the vision I had and still hold: building a balanced life, one that sustains itself, supports growth, and allows me to show up fully for the future I want. Another big rock is figuring out how I can get a site on retirement up and running.

A course would be great, a blog is good, its a little more work, a pod cast – I have no idea how to approach this or topics of extreme interest. Speaking would be good but I am not sure I want to travel every week to another city.

So, teaching and my retirement writing/speaking career. What about the mid-sized rocks? Those are teaching my courses, participating in Toastmasters and National speakers association.

The little rocks are maintaining relationships, friends and family, my house, Associations. So what does that future feel like? What does it look like, sound like, taste like? How does that future version of me act?

Does this version have clarity, I think so. Are the big rocks that I choose the most important big rocks? I will have to ponder that. I am doing it with intention, not impulse.

That version makes space for purpose, not just productivity. I continue to pursue my dream of having a course that helps people envision what their future will look like that others are eager to buy and take.

As I prepare for the coming semester and reflect on what’s next, I’m asking myself the same question I’ll ask you: What’s your big rock? And how will you make sure it fits first?

• #AdjunctLife, #TeacherReflections, #SeasonOfChange, #LifeTransitions, #SpringTransitions, #NewBeginnings, #MultipleIronsInTheFire, #FaithOverFear, #StayProductive, #EmbraceTheChange