BIG ROCKS: Balancing Life and Work

BIG ROCKS: Balancing Life and Work, Gary F. Russell, Lifestyle Press, 2005

In today's working world, many people are unhappy. They know that their lives are out of balance, but they don't know how to fix it. This book gives one way to change that imbalance.

Told as a parable, this is the story of Jack Bedford, part of the financial industry. Married, with 2 children, his workload has gotten overwhelming at one of those companies where the unspoken rule is: Don't Be The First Person Out Of The Office At The End Of The Day. The 40-hour work week is a thing of the past. He has gotten discouraged at work, and is too tired at home to take an active role in the family. He moves to another company, but, after a few months, it's more of the same. At a rare appearance at one of his son's soccer games, a stranger suggests that Jack attend a half-day lecture about something called Big Rocks.

Imagine a large glass bowl. In that bowl are placed 6 (no more than 6) large rocks on which are written the things that really matter in a person's life (spouse, children/family, personal health, education, etc.). Why do few people choose Work as one of their Big Rocks? Then fill up the bowl with small rocks, sand and water, representing things that fill up the day, but are not a "priority" (grocery shopping, shuttling children here and there, picking up dry cleaning, the latest weight-loss plan). What would happen if a person put in their Big Rocks last?

Next, a person has to decide how to fit their personal Big Rocks into their lives, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. For instance, "Spend more time with spouse" is too vague, but "Take spouse out to dinner (not fast food) at least twice a month" is much more doable.

After Jack's boss gives a lukewarm (at best) reception to Big Rocks, Jack starts job searching again. This time, he does his research the right way and takes his time.

This book should be required reading all over corporate America. It is especially recommended for those companies who think that Hours = Productivity and that their employees are happy to be there (they probably aren't). A happy and engaged employee is one that will stay, thereby reducing turnover and raising productivity. Here is an excellent way to help create happy employees.