Do you feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up? Like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done? You’re not alone, but don’t worry the rocks pebbles sand method is here to help. According to a study by PewResearch.com, 90% of working moms feel rushed all or most of the time. The good news is that there are ways to manage your time more effectively. This post will look at three phases of time management and how you can use them to make the most of your day. So put down that coffee and keep reading!
Next to mindset, time management is the most challenging issue that virtually every entrepreneur faces. Rocks Pebbles Sand is a technique for managing your time.
Rocks Pebbles Sand Method
The Rocks Pebbles Sand method can be used as an analogy for time management. In this system, rocks represent the important things in your life, pebbles are less important but still need to be done, and sand is everything else that can be put off or eliminated.
To summarize, you receive a jar each day to represent all of the time you have to get things done. The Rocks are the items that consume most of your time and are often non-negotiable activities.
Next, smaller pebbles are placed around the bigger ones. Still essential duties that must be completed, but not as crucial as boulders (rocks).
We finish the jar with sand to the top. You can accomplish these little tasks while spending time with your family or doing something else enjoyable.
What are your Rocks?
So the first step to using this method is to figure out what are your rocks.
Those super important things you prioritize over everything else and always get done. This may be time with your significant other, your day job, a child’s activities. Whatever these are, write them down.
Your ROCKS are the activities that probably take up most of your time when you put them all together, and they should be part of your value system and integral to any goal you set for yourself. Your rocks are your very core time management items because they are the core of you.
Figuring out what tasks are priorities will help you manage your time most effectively. This is harder than it sounds, and I’ve created a workbook to help you figure it out. Let’s get your actual business and life priorities straightened out.
Pebbles
Pebbles are slightly smaller things you need to do each day, and these are still important activities but take up less of your time.
Pebbles tend to fit in around your rocks, and they aren’t necessarily less important but take up less time. Make a list of all the things in your day you need to get done that are pebbles.
Do you spend enough time on your daily pebbles? What are some of the challenges you face getting these things done?
Think about those questions to ensure you haven’t over-allocated your jar. The jar can only hold so much, and if you have 1,000 pebbles that never make it into the pot, you are only hurting yourself.
Sand
At this point, your jar is looking pretty full. All that is left is a little space between the rocks and pebbles, and those spaces get filled in with sand. The daily tasks take us just a few moments but need to get done. Make a list of all your daily activities that are represented by sand.
Are you constantly running from Rock to Pebble to Rock that you don’t have time for your sand activities? These aren’t any less important than the Pebbles or Rocks, and they are just smaller in scope. They might be the nighttime kiss to your kids, making sandwiches before a car ride, or other things.
Make time for those small moments. They become the most important. Below is one of my favorite quotes because we often forget to bask in the moment and enjoy life. Take a step back and soak in the sand.
Don’t get so busy making a living, you forget to make a life
Dolly Parton
Other Time Management Systems
There are other systems out there, such as time blocking. This is another way to phrase what we just talked about and only schedule it out based on blocks of time.
Using planners and project management tracking software are other ways to help you manage your time. I love my planner and use it along with this method to stay organized. What strategies are you using to manage your time?
Wrapping things up
Rocks, Pebbles, Sand is just one of many methods to stay organized. Find a system that works for YOU and use it. One of my favorite tools for organizational success is Trello. Trello can be used in many ways and for personal and business things. Plus… It’s FREE!
