Studying and working all day? There never seems to be enough time to do the things you really want, like doing yoga, running or having a weekly night out with your partner. In Work Less, Live More, Bob Clyatt argues that you can make time for fun stuff. The secret? Prioritise.

The Big Rocks vs. The Small Rocks

Imagine that you have an empty jar, a few large rocks, and several handfuls of gravel. Your task is to put all the large and small rocks into the jar. One approach would be to pile all the gravels first, but doing so would leave room for only one or two of the large rocks; you wouldn’t get everything to fit. Switch your approach and put the large rocks in first, and you’ll find that the gravel will all fit nicely around the empty space. If a bit of gravel doesn’t fit at the end, you’ve not lost much. Let too many little things take priority, and there never seems to be time for the big things. Consider the Big Rocks to be the really important things you want to accomplish in life, the things that define you. Get the big things in first, work on the right projects and priorities, and let the little stuff fit in around the edges. Let your Big Rocks be non-negotiable priorities in your weekly calendar – and learn to say “no” when things begin to intrude. Then fit those other things in where you can.

For example, when we have regular weekly CCA sessions, we will work around them and make ourselves available to attend the sessions. If we really enjoy the sessions, we will be there no matter what. So if running makes you happy, schedule your runs – and then fit the rest of your life around them. Don’t ignore your obligations, but make the stuff you have to do fit around the stuff you want to do, not the other way around.

It is important for us to do activities that make us feel happy and fulfilled. Doing so allows us to recharge and create a more meaningful life. For me, it is carving out time to read and dance. Although I still face instances where I am unable to commit to them, I still do my best to follow through with my plans as much as possible.

What Activities Should You Do?

Perhaps you are having difficulty in choosing which activity to make time for. In this case, ask yourself these questions and write down your answers with pen and paper:

>> If you only had a day to live, what dreams would you have left unfulfilled?

>> What would you wish you had finished?

>> What would you wish you had done or been?

>> What would you have missed?

>> What makes you feel joy or a sense of accomplishment?

Write all of them down – it could even be the little things.

After that, rank each one by the level of happiness and fulfilment you feel after completing that activity. Take the first one and set aside a block of time for it in your calendar. Don’t worry about the rest of the items in the list. Focus on cultivating a habit for one activity at a time. Once you are actively pursuing the first activity, set aside another block of time for the next item on the list and repeat the process. You may not be able to find time for all of the items on your list, but doing the most important things to you will give you the most amount of enjoyment for your time.

So the next time you find yourself wishing that you had more time to do the things you really love, prioritise and schedule it!