Know Your Golf Balls

I am breaking this article out from last year as I was reminded of it with a client conversation last week. For some reason the timing seems appropriate with school back in session and fall officially starting this weekend. Odds are you have heard something like this before, but bear with me. It is a two-minute read.

A professor is standing in front of his glass with a big, empty pickle jar sitting on his desk.

He pulls out a bunch of golf balls and puts them in the jar. He then proceeds to ask his students if the jar is full. They all say it is.

Next, he brings out a bag full of pebbles and proceeds to dump them into the jar as well. Once again, he asks the class if the jar is full. One more time, they answer it looks like it is.

He reaches behind his desk again and brings out some sand, which he pours into the pickle jar. The same question is asked of the class whether the jar is full. Tentatively, they answer it must be.

Finally, he brings out two cups of coffee. They are poured into the jar and fill up the remaining spaces. He and the students all agree the jar is definitely filled now.

The professor leans back on his desk and simply asks the students – What are your golf balls?

He proceeds to explain your golf balls are those things that are most important to you. Family. Friends. Passions. Health. Basically, things that as long as you have them the smaller things matter less.

The pebbles are the start of those smaller things that still matter, such as your job, house and car.

The sand is everything else – the small stuff. He cautions his students to be careful filling your life with the small stuff first as there may not be room for those things most important to you. Again, things like spending time with loved ones, taking care of your health, and more.

Finally, a student asks about the coffee. He smiles, thanks her for asking the question and replies – There is always time for coffee with a friend.