The Big Rocks
High Holy Day President’s Speech, 5772
Perhaps you have heard the story about The Big Rocks, first told by author Stephen Covey.
In his version of this story, a business professor is lecturing about time management, and he brings to the class a big jar filled to the brim with big rocks.
“Is the jar full?” he asks his class. “Yes!” reply the students, sure that no more big rocks can fit in the jar.
“Wait!’” the professor says. He reaches down under the table and pulls out a bucket of gravel and adds it to the jar, filling the spaces between the big rocks.
“Is the jar full?” he asks once more? “No!” reply the students, now on to his game.
This time the professor pulls up a bucket of sand and dumps it into the jar, and it trickles down in the spaces between the rocks and the gravel.
Again he asks, “Is the jar full?” “Probably not,” reply the students, although they really can’t see how anything else would fit in the jar.
Finally, the business professor grabs a pitcher of water pours it into the jar. “Now,” he states, closing the lid, “the jar is full.”
“What is the point of this exercise with regards to time management?” asks the professor. The students suggest that no matter how full your schedule, there always is room for one more thing, or that you can always find gaps to fit more activities into your life.
“No,” says the professor. “The point is, you have to put the big rocks in first! If you don’t add the big rocks in the beginning. . . you’ll never be able to fit them in the jar!”
Stephen Covey tells this story in his book, “First Things First,” and argues that the key to time management is not to prioritize our schedule but to schedule our priorities. Unfortunately, our society promotes the “more is better” paradigm when it comes to achievements. We often get caught up in a hectic life of deadlines and demands, and fill the gaps in our time with the immediate and urgent. But does it really matter how much we do if we don’t do what matters most? If we don’t put the big rocks in first, we will never have them in our jar at all.
Instead, Covey advocates that decisions about allocating our time be guided by a vision of our life as a legacy—a life of integrity and a life of contribution. When we look back at our life, what do we want to see? How do we want to be remembered by others? Our life priorities should reflect the values that drive our life which in turn should be defined by our moral compass.
I’d like to thank the many people who picked Beth David as one of the Big Rocks in their lives this year. Thanks to the Beth David Board, who has worked with me this year to keep our congregation on a solid pathway toward progress and to all of our many committee and project chairs and members. Thanks to our vibrant ancillary organizations—Hazak, Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Jews Next D’Or, and the Young Families Group—who provide many wonderful programs for us. Thanks to our Religious School and Hebrew High principals, administrators, assistants, and teachers for inspiring our children. Thanks to our directors and our office, custodial, and kitchen staff for providing all the support services that keep Beth David running on a daily basis. Finally, our High Holiday experience would not be possible without the hard work of our volunteers who distribute all the honors, organize an army of ushers, and lead parts of the service. Thanks to all of you and all other volunteers who have made Beth David a priority in your life. A special thanks to Cantor Levy, for joining us for the High Holidays, and to Rabbis Pressman and Ohriner, for their dedication to Beth David and to our individual members.
You know, our lives are fleeting and time passes by quickly. All too soon we look down at our life’s jar of accomplishments and realize it is filled only with sand! We’ve painstakingly climbed the ladder of success, only to discover that it is leaning against the wrong wall. We did not take the time to do what really matters.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons why the High Holidays are so important in Jewish tradition. They give us the opportunity for renewal of our spiritual essence —the opportunity to reflect on the direction of our life as well as its meaning and its purpose as part of a greater whole.
As you start the New Year, I hope you will think about the “Big Rocks” or the priorities in your life, about the things you can do to make this a healthier and happier year for yourself and for others. And I hope Beth David will be become part of the way you can make a positive impact: for your community, for your family, and for yourself.
[L’Shana Tova and] G’mar Chatimah Tova. May you be inscribed for the good and may your good deeds be a blessing to our community.
Joanne Cornbleet, President
Congregation Beth David
Saratoga, CA
High Holidays Days President’s Speech, 5772 (2011)