Are You Prioritizing what is Important? Explore the Big Rocks Demo
Today I would like to share with you a very powerful exercise/visualization that shows how your life may look without the value of prioritizing. At DLW we recognize that you are a multi-dimensional being living in a multi-dimensional world. There are so many possible directions to go and timelines to create that without a plan and prioritization, who knows where you may end up. Without enough intention, quality time + attention to your dreams and purpose you will be a slave to chores and day-to-day activities.
In our Life Management Dimension we provide education, tools and experiences to create a strong foundation and flow to your wellness goals and routines. I am happy to share this exercise with you because it has helped myself, and clients, time and time again. It is one of those visuals that brings you to attention and resonates deeply. I hope you find this to be as helpful, too.
This exercise was shared with me during my time at Integrative Nutrition. Joshua Rosenthal is the founder of IIN and provided many wonderful tools to help us decide what is important to us. I am sharing this exercise, as I know that it can provide guidance for you as well. This can be performed in reality, or you can use your imagination in each scenario.
Big Rocks Demo:
Supplies: Large Bowl or Bucket; 5-6 oranges or any other large, round fruit; large bag of hazelnuts, or unshelled walnuts or pecans.
The oranges represent major life accomplishments, the big dreams you have for yourself. These may include having a family, a rockstar career, philanthropy work, and so on.
The hazelnuts represent the daily tasks of life, including the house cleaning, tax preparation, to-do list type of stuff.
Scenario 1:
Take the bucket and first begin by filling it up with your nuts of choice. Fill it with all that represents the tasks you have on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Once you have finished, try adding in the oranges, one at a time.
Do you have enough room, or have your daily tasks left no room for accomplishing your dreams?
Scenario 2:
Imagine yourself carefully planning out how you are going to accomplish these giant dreams. Now, drop them in one at a time as if you have fast forwarded to your future and they are already done!
Once each of the oranges are in place, begin to pour in the hazelnuts. Observe how much better everything seems to fit in your bucket once you have your big goals taken care of.
Reflection:
Oranges or none, write down 5-6 major events in your life that you would like to see into fruition.
Before you can plan how to accomplish these, you must first identify what will bring you the greatest joy. Maybe being married and having a family is one of your life goals.
What are you doing to align yourself with this goal? Are you meeting new people in the activities you enjoy? Are you giving your time to prospects that do not have your best interest involved?
It is important to be completely honest with ourselves about whether or not we are ready to step onto our path with both feet. Then, we can plan our life accomplishments and watch how everything else just falls into place.
Recall the second observation of oranges and nuts. When we placed our larger expectations first, everything else just worked around it. It can be a powerful exercise to write down your to-do list, all of the daily, weekly and monthly activities that need to get done. Now, step into that honest place with yourself.
What tasks on this list can be postponed? What can be delegated? Can someone be hired to help with this list?
I like to take the to-do list I am left with and schedule time into my calendar as to when I can check some things off of this list. I usually allow for 1-2 hour increments, and it feels great to check things off!
When we complete this exercise with honesty, we begin to step into a place of empowerment over our own lives. You CAN live the life you imagine. You DON’T have to feel burdened by empty tasks. Although it seems as there is never enough time, we are the masters of our fate. We can use this time in whatever fashion we like. We can slice it into small increments. We can let go of certain things to create more space and time for our deeper desires.
It is human nature to move away from that which is harmful or painful, and towards that which pleases us. It is a thing of the past to live with such self-imposed restrictions. Becoming clear on your priorities allows you to make this change. Caution to the brave; things may begin to drastically change so be ready for the melting of that which no longer serves you.
