The empty pickle jar
- 1. THE EMPTY PICKLE JAR: A LESSON ON LIFE 1
- 2. THE EMPTY PICKLE JAR…CONT’D A professor stood before his philosophy class holding a large empty pickle jar. When the class began he proceeded to fill the jar with golf balls. He asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So, the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them in to the jar. 2
- 3. THE EMPTY PICKLE JAR…CONT’D The pebbles rolled in to the open areas between the golf balls. He asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it in to the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. They responded with a unanimous “Yes”. The professor then produced a bottle of chocolate milk from under the table. He poured it in to the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 3
- 4. THE EMPTY PICKLE JAR…CONT’D “Now” said, the professor “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.” The golf balls are the important things, like your family, children, health, friends and relationships. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, home, car. 4
- 5. THE EMPTY PICKLE JAR…CONT’D The sand is everything else, the small stuff. If you put the sand in to the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that make you happy. 5
- 6. WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE STORY? 6
- 7. THE EMPTY PICKLE JAR…CONT’D The lesson of the story Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities/ Time Management, the rest is just SAND. What about the chocolate milk? The professor responded, “No matter how full your life may seem, there is always room for chocolate!” 7
- 8. R E M E M B E R Every day is a gift... and the quality of your life is your gift to yourself. 8