The Big Rocks Jar

Stephen Covey's first-things-first demonstration, drawn as an actual jar. A professor filled a jar with big rocks and asked if it was full — then poured in the pebbles, then the sand, and it all fit because of the order. The sheet fills the jar the only way that works: up to three big rocks at the bottom (they went in first), pebbles settled around them, sand poured over the top. Name the two or three things that genuinely matter this week, and give each rock a concrete calendar slot — because a priority without a slot is just a wish. Being honest about the sand is half the exercise: the busywork pours itself into whatever space is left, and if it goes in first, the rocks never fit. Fill it in for the week ahead, or print it blank and load the jar by hand.

• Portrait
• 1 page
• Planning

Best for: Planning a week around the two or three things that matter most — before the busywork fills every gap.