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Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!

This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction. 

Let’s get to it.

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📈 Are You Prioritizing Your Big Rocks?

As I’m writing this, I’m getting ready to leave for a three-week trip with my family to Canada.

I can’t tell you how nice it feels to step away from the usual routine, unplug for a bit, and spend quality time together. There’s something about being in a new place—away from the day-to-day grind—that gives you space to reflect on what really matters. I’m looking forward to hiking, exploring, and just being present with my family, without the usual distractions.

Preparing for this trip has also gotten me thinking about the classic “Rock, Pebbles, and Sand” analogy.

You’ve probably seen it online—it’s one of those productivity memes that makes the rounds on social media and in time management books. For years, I interpreted it the way most people do: the “big rocks” are your most important work projects or goals, the pebbles are your other tasks and responsibilities, and the sand is all the little stuff that fills up your day.

But as I get older (and hopefully a little wiser), my perspective has shifted.

My “big rocks” used to be all about productivity—finishing projects, hitting milestones, checking off to-do lists. Now, I realize that the things that truly matter aren’t always the ones that show up on my work calendar. These days, my big rocks are more about family dinners, spontaneous hikes, travel adventures, and even simple things like playing board games together (here’s why I love them so much). Those are the moments that actually fill the jar of life in a meaningful way.

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The Rock, Pebbles, and Sand Story (A Quick Refresher)

● The Setup: Imagine a professor standing in front of a class with a large, empty glass jar.

● Step 1: The Rocks: He fills the jar with big rocks and asks, “Is it full?” The class says yes.

● Step 2: The Pebbles: He pours in small pebbles, which settle into the spaces between the rocks. Again, he asks, “Is it full?” The class says yes.

● Step 3: The Sand: He pours in sand, which fills the gaps between the pebbles and rocks. Once more, he asks, “Is it full?” The class says yes.

● Step 4: The Water (Optional twist): Sometimes, the professor finishes by pouring water into the jar, which soaks into the sand, proving there’s almost always room for a bit more.

● The Lesson:

○ Rocks: Your most important priorities (the “big stuff” in life)

○ Pebbles: Other meaningful, but less critical, activities and responsibilities

○ Sand: The small, everyday tasks or distractions that fill up your time

○ Water: The truly minor things or “extras” that can fit in only if there’s space

● The Takeaway: If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never fit them in at all. Prioritize your most important things before letting the little stuff fill up your days.

Rethinking Your “Big Rocks”

Most people use this story to talk about productivity. For a long time, so did I.

But here’s the thing: if your “big rocks” are always work-related, you risk missing out on the things that actually make life rich and rewarding.

Projects and deadlines will always be there, but your kids won’t always want to play a board game with you, and you won’t always have the chance to take that trip or call that friend.

I’ve realized that the real value of this story is about intentional living—not just getting more done, but getting the right things done. Your big rocks should be the things that add meaning, joy, and connection to your life. For me, that means:

● Prioritizing family adventures and travel (like this Canada trip)

● Making time for regular board game nights

● Saying yes to spontaneous hikes or outings

● Setting aside time for deep conversations and laughter

● Protecting space for my own health and well-being

Work is still important, of course. But I try to make sure it fits around my big rocks—not the other way around.

How to Identify Your Own “Big Rocks”

If you’re not sure what your big rocks are, here are some prompts to get you thinking:

● What are the moments from the past year that you treasure most?

● If you had only a month left to live, how would you spend it—and with whom?

● What activities leave you feeling energized, fulfilled, and truly present?

● Which relationships or experiences do you want to nurture or deepen?

● What do you regret not making time for?

Step-by-Step: Bringing the Rock, Pebbles, and Sand Method to Life

Here’s a practical process to help you put this concept into action:

Step 1: Brain Dump Everything on Your Plate

● Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write down everything that’s on your mind—work projects, family obligations, personal goals, errands, worries, fun ideas, and dreams. Don’t filter or judge; just get it all out.

● If you want a structured way to do this, use the “Brain Dump Template” from my Productivity Bundle. This template helps you organize your thoughts into categories and see everything clearly.

Step 2: Identify Your Big Rocks

● Look over your list and highlight or circle the items that are truly important—the ones that align with your values, bring you joy, or move you toward the life you want.

● Try to limit yourself to 3-5 to start; if everything is a priority, nothing is.

Step 3: Schedule the Big Rocks First

● Open your calendar (digital or paper) and block out time for your big rocks before anything else. Treat these appointments as non-negotiable.

● For example, if family dinners are a big rock, put them on the calendar every week. If you want to take a trip, set aside planning time and mark the dates in advance.

Step 4: Add the Pebbles

● Next, schedule the other important—but not essential—tasks and responsibilities. These might be work meetings, household chores, or recurring commitments. Fit them around your big rocks, not the other way around.

Step 5: Let the Sand Fill the Gaps

● Finally, let the little stuff (emails, errands, social media, minor tasks) fill in the remaining space. If you run out of room, let the sand spill over—most of it isn’t as urgent as it seems.

Step 6: Review and Adjust Regularly

● Once a week or month, revisit your big rocks. Are you making time for what matters, or is sand creeping back in? Use the Brain Dump Template again if you feel overwhelmed or off track. Life changes, and your priorities might too—give yourself permission to adjust.

More Actionable Tips

● Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to sand and pebbles that threaten to crowd out your rocks. It’s okay to protect your time for what matters most.

● Create Rituals: Turn your big rocks into habits or rituals—like a weekly game night, a monthly family hike, or a nightly walk with your partner.

● Communicate Your Priorities: Let your loved ones know what your big rocks are. Invite them to join you or help keep you accountable.

● Celebrate Progress: At the end of each week, reflect on what big rocks you honored. Celebrate the wins, however small.

Remember, life will always throw more sand your way. The trick isn’t to get rid of it entirely, but to make sure you’re not letting it fill up your jar before the good stuff gets in.

If you’re looking for a simple way to start, download the Brain Dump Template and spend a few minutes this week figuring out what your big rocks truly are. You might be surprised at what you discover.

Talk soon,

Steve

📺 Today’s Featured Video

Once again, the featured video talks about Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand concept. If you want to see this idea in action (and get a quick, memorable lesson on what truly matters), It’s a simple, visual demonstration of the concept and a great reminder to focus on what’s most important. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the analogy—and maybe share it with your family or team—this video is a perfect place to start.

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