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The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Locations LLC 12345   

 golf balls pictureIn this ever demanding industry, time can be so precious.  Just the everyday bustle of life can become frantically unmanageable.  All this added stress is so unhealthy.  In times like this we need to just find a little time to stop everything and concentrate on relaxation methods.

I've just re-read a story that I thought was clever and just wanted to share it with you.  I believe the author is unknown.

coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then 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 into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things in life.  Your God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions, things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. 

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else, the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "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 are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."

Take care  of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." 

Tim Maitski
Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage - Atlanta, GA
Truth, Excellence and a Good Deal
I always have this vision in my head when I need to decide what is more important. It's an easy tool to use.
Apr 08, 2007 01:02 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
I just love this story -- and I had a professor who did the same thing.  I had a rough week last week and was feeling down in the dumps -- this story helped me put thing right back into perspective.  I THANK YOU!  I am going to have a couple cups of coffee now!  Happy EASTER/PASSOVER.
Apr 08, 2007 01:10 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Kengo - like Margaret, I've heard this story many times, but with rocks, pebbles and sand and with water instead of coffee. I, too, like your version, because it points out the value of leaving time for friends as well. Whichever version, it's a story never retold too many times. Make sure there's time for the big things, before the small things take over.
Apr 08, 2007 01:36 AM
Darren Kittleson
Keller Williams Realty - Madison, WI
CRB, SRS, RENE-Madison WI

Awesome post...thanks for sharing this.  I'm going to use it in my training classes this next week as I believe it truly puts things in to perspective.

Thanks for this!

Apr 08, 2007 02:25 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty
Kengo - Thanks for sharing this - particularly on Easter Sunday which I plan to be a day off with family - aka "golf ball"!
Apr 08, 2007 02:30 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Read this years ago Kengo and it hit home with me.  I changed my life several years ago and stopped being slave to my cell phone and started coming home earlier in the week and stopped working weekends.  I was sure my income would suffer but the opposite happened and in 2006 I had my best year ever in my business career.  I hope everyone realizes that working night and day is not the answer.  Have a great weekend.
Apr 08, 2007 05:18 AM
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
Great story and so true. I don't really like coffee though, can I substitute tea?
Apr 08, 2007 06:28 AM
Meg Stewart
Reliable Appraisal - Frisco, TX
Appraiser-Frisco, Texas

Kengo.  Great topic to reflect on....  Thanks!

 

Happy Easter!

 

-Meg

Apr 08, 2007 07:46 AM
Ted Torres
N/A - Merced, CA

Kengo, I have heard and read different variations of this for the past 10 years and this is one of my favorite versions.  Thanks for sharing and reminding us to tend to the important things in life...golf balls.  (c:

Apr 08, 2007 03:56 PM
Kengo Ueno
Prudential Locations LLC - Honolulu, HI
(R)
It's awesome to hear that some of you are hearing this for the first time as well as for those that have heard this before, may it be with golf balls or rocks.  I'm happy that you all enjoyed the story.  Mahalo for the wonderful comments.
Apr 08, 2007 04:43 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
Kengo, You could  substitute ground coffee or sugar for the sand. Either way I love this story!
Apr 09, 2007 01:11 AM
Shane Sarae
Honolulu, HI
Great story! I need to send it to the guys in my office.
May 25, 2007 07:43 PM
Debi Wright
nwRealty.com - Seattle, WA
There is always room for water.... it fills the voids even the sand can leave.... What is YOUR water?
Sep 03, 2007 07:51 AM
Sean Hashimoto
Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 3094 - Honolulu, HI
Senior Loan Officer
Good one to remind everyone.  I haven't heard this one in awhile. 
Sep 05, 2007 11:38 PM
Jamie Friedman
eXp Realty - Kapaa, HI
Kauai Real Estate Connection
This is fabulous! I have never heard it before :-) Mahalo, Jamie Friedman (RA) RE/MAX Kauai (808) 634-2011 jamiejoy@aloha.net
Oct 03, 2007 11:02 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!
Excellent post, a good reminder to us all.  Thanks for sharing.
Oct 27, 2007 01:27 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I just stumbled in here..... This is a really good story - thanks for sharing.

Aloha - the Hunter

Nov 24, 2007 04:51 PM
Kai Lani
RE/MAX Kai Lani - Kailua, HI
RE/MAX
It's not Easter, but Mayonnaise!!!!  I love the stuff!   Jerry
Dec 24, 2007 04:37 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I'm eight months out, but good stuff stays around forever, and that was good stuff.

Sep 05, 2008 08:34 PM
Kengo Ueno
Prudential Locations LLC - Honolulu, HI
(R)

Wow....thanks Jim!!! 

Sep 07, 2008 08:36 PM