The Eye-Opening Reality About Living a Full Life (And How to Actually Do It)

What if I told you most people have the idea of a “full life” completely backward?

Here’s the Powerful Lesson:

A full life isn’t about cramming more in—it's about choosing wisely what you put in first.

Let me share a story that will forever change how you see your time, priorities, and perhaps even your happiness.

The Jar, the Golf Balls, and the Unexpected Lesson

Imagine a professor standing before his class holding a large, empty jar. He fills it with golf balls and asks, “Is the jar full?” The students nod—it seems full.

Then he pours in pebbles, which settle into the spaces around the golf balls. “Full now?” Smiling, the students agree again.

Next, he adds sand, filling every remaining nook. “Now is it full?” Confidently, the students say yes.

But the professor isn’t done. He grabs two beers, pours them into the jar, and the liquid seeps around the sand.

The class bursts into laughter.

Here’s the unforgettable lesson:

• Golf balls are the truly important things—family, health, passions, purpose.

• Pebbles represent other important aspects—your job, home, car.

• Sand symbolizes everything else—small distractions, trivial tasks, everyday noise.

If you start by filling your jar with sand, you'll have no space for golf balls or pebbles. But when you put the golf balls in first, you'll find space for everything else—including sharing a beer with a friend.

Want to see this powerful lesson in action? Watch this quick, memorable video:

The Practical “Jar of Life” Framework

Here’s exactly how to put this insight into action in your life and business immediately:

Identify Your Golf Balls

Pinpoint your non-negotiables: family, health, core projects, passions.

Schedule Golf Balls First

Place these priorities on your calendar first and treat them as immovable.

Add the Pebbles Next

Fit important yet less critical tasks—work responsibilities, home chores, essential errands—around your golf balls.

Let the Sand Fill Remaining Gaps

Only after scheduling bigger priorities should minor tasks like emails, social media, and trivial chores fill the leftover spaces.

Always Save Room for Beer

Life’s too short not to enjoy it. No matter how busy, always leave space for relaxation, connection, and joy.

This approach isn’t just valuable personally—it’s transformative in business and leadership, too. Focus first on what truly moves the needle, and let everything else flow around it.

Questions to Open Your Eyes

• What are your “golf balls”—the non-negotiables that deeply matter?

• Are these priorities truly getting the space they deserve in your life?

• How much of your day is consumed by “sand”—tasks that aren’t truly important?

• How would your life change if each week started with scheduling your golf balls first?

• When did you last intentionally create space for your version of “beer with a friend”?

Your jar is limited. Don’t let sand crowd out your golf balls.

Remember: Fill your jar with what matters most, and you'll always find room for everything else—including enjoying a refreshing beer with a friend.

Ready to live a richer, happier life?

Start by scheduling your golf balls first—and watch everything else effortlessly fall into place.