INTRODUCTION:
A friend sent me
the story of the “Big Rocks” in 2001, before Mike was placed on hospice status
or the idea of a blog had developed. First of all, I liked the surprise ending
(I hope that piqued your interest to check the links for the article and the
video!). Second, my life was filled with required tasks, especially when I was
working full time during the week and part time on the weekends. Third, I am a
champion procrastinator, so I could always find some reason to delay getting to
the Big Rocks.
Important projects
usually require extra time and energy and tend to overwhelm me. For me, getting
the Big Rocks to fit into my life requires not only identifying what they are,
but breaking them down into manageable components and feeling a sense of
accomplishment when each is completed. I find this method works best for
measurable goals such as decluttering and downsizing a household now that we
are headed toward having an empty nest.
Some of the most
important Big Rocks cannot be measured. There is no stack of clean dishes or
neatly trimmed lawn to show for the effort. Using the example of the gallon jug
and its contents, intangible components look invisible, like bubbles rather
than rocks. Like bubbles, they can be squeezed out by other more solid items.
Building relationships is a high priority, whether it is with a spouse,
children, other family members, friends, mentoring partnership, or outreach to
community. Working toward a deeper relationship usually means actually
scheduling time together. Thinking that shared experiences will just happen
spontaneously means that other mundane tasks can easily fill up the calendar.
Even when time together is planned, when the hour arrives, a flare of symptoms
may interfere. Mike and I see this happen time and again. If time together
needs to be rescheduled, acknowledge that and make a new plan.
Big Rocks are worth the effort.
BIG ROCKS FOR CHRONIC
ILLNESS
By Gail K. Kachnycz on 25 September 2023 (revised from 9 March 2021)
“Choose Your Big
Rocks” is a story related by Stephen Covey in his book First Things First.
This YouTube video is a great
demonstration: https://youtu.be/RAzMGtJypsE
It was also
referenced in a post by Christi Barrett on the Humanergy website https://humanergy.com/choose-your-big-rocks/
(Accessed April 3, 2021)
Please read the story or view the video, so you can clearly
picture how the lesson of Big Rocks was presented. Humanergy uses the Big Rocks
story to illustrate these points:
· Decide how you want to be remembered [a legacy]
· Focus strategically
·
Journal your dreams
· Be goal-oriented
Humanergy has a
focus on Leadership Development. However, chronic illness may also bring the idea of leaving a legacy to the
fore. What will it be? Family traditions that create strong bonds?
Contributions to the excellence of your profession? A family business? A book?
Audio recordings of family history?
What are your Big
Rocks? The first step to make room for the big rocks in your life is to
identify what they are. This takes thought and careful consideration. It is
planned and intentional. Determining the priorities for your life, marriage, or
family may require a personal day or weekend spent away from routine demands to
get an expanded view of the bigger picture. Some priorities are stated in
scripture, such as family relationships and good stewardship. Prayer and Bible
study will provide guidance for other issues of importance that are more
individualized.
The Process
Hacker (https://theprocesshacker.com)
assigns these definitions, which may be helpful to identify what projects or
responsibilities require higher levels of attention:
BIG ROCKS: main priorities or long-term goals.
LITTLE ROCKS: day-to-day responsibilities or short-term
goals.
SAND: tasks that are not really that important.
WATER: unimportant distractions that prevent you from getting work done.
Making the Big
Rocks a priority will require time and effort. Those with chronic illness and
their caregivers will find that there are demands on their time that cannot be
avoided. Examples would be medical appointments or time devoted to medical
bills. Illness drains away strength, so energy has to be conserved for the most
important activities. Mundane tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and
yard work could fill every minute of the day. Carve out time for the Big Rocks
and be sure it is at the time of the day or week when the most energy is
available.
Giving attention
to the priorities you have identified will mean deciding how much of your
limited time and energy to spend pursuing them. It may mean the lawn is mowed
only every 2 weeks, not every week. The house may be a little more dusty or
meals from left-overs appear on the table more often. Less time may be spent on
screens.
The effort will
be worth it. Like the pebbles, sand and water, the routine tasks of life will
get done. Perhaps the dishes sit in the sink for a day, and all the dishes are
washed the next day. Perhaps the cardboard for recycling is crushed every other
week. It’s really more efficient that way, right?
However, progress
on the important priorities will not happen without planning, perseverance, and
“poco a poco” (little by little).
·
Set your priorities with prayer.
·
Plan how to accomplish them.
·
Persevere even when there are obstacles.
· Poco a poco: break it down into small parts and keep on working on them.
The Big Rocks are the PURPOSE that God planned for
your life. Be sure to fit them in first.
Another video which demonstrates the principle: https://youtu.be/zV3gMTOEWt8
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