This post previously appeared on my LinkedIn feed. I thought it should have been here…

A few weeks ago, I heard Michelle Minnikin refer to “big rocks first” on the WB-40 Podcast. It rang a bell with me – an approach to prioritising activities – first the big rocks, then the pebbles, then the sand. First attributed to Stephen Covey, it’s based on the story of a professor demonstrating to his class that they need to focus on the important things first, in order of priority, and then fit the minutiae of life around them. I’ve linked a 2 minute video at the end of this post that tells the story.

It seems I’ve used the analogy a lot recently – firstly helping someone manage the things that are making them anxious; now it seems that I’ll be doing the same with my son, in terms of prioritising activities to prepare for his A-Levels; and it works in a business context too – in terms of setting goals to achieve strategic aims.

So, whether it’s helping with mental health, learning about time management, or simply determining the priorities to achieve success, think about your rocks, pebbles, and sand.

And for a slightly longer (and older) video, here’s a practical demonstration featuring Stephen Covey himself: