Put the Big Rocks in First

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz?", and he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him.

He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class yelled, “Yes!” The time management expert replied, "Really?"

He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.

He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not", one of them answered. “Good!” he replied.

He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel.

Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, “Good!”

Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. He looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is; if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"

"No", the speaker replied, that's not the point. "The truth is; this illustration teaches us that if you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

"What are the 'big rocks' in your life; time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others. Remember to put these 'big rocks' in first or you'll never get them in at all."

So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question “What are the 'big rocks' in my life?” Then, put those in your jar first.

So . . . . you are probably asking yourself "what dies this have to do with knowing no boundaries?" Well my friends, it has everything to do with it.

We have gotten to a point in our society where we are trying to stuff more & more into the same amout of hours in a day while expecting the same results. We have spread ourselves soooo thin, that there is no way that we can perform at the same level as before.

We seem to have segmented our lives; spiritual, family, financial, physical, professional, social, emotional, etc. Each of these little segments has their own "boundary" so as not to allow anything from one segment to merge in with another. Herein lies the fallacy. Everything interacts with everything else. We cannot have a strong family segment without also having a strong spiritual segment. We cannot have a strong professional segment without having a strong financial segment. In actuality, each segment supports the other. Having a one week segment has the potential to weaken the whole.

We NEED to break the boundaries of each segment allowing each one to influence the other thereby strengthening each at the same time.

Think about it.

Have a blessed weekend & God Bless;
K2

Beyond US Boundaries - Tales from Gabon

Hello again. I hope that so far, 2011 has allowed you opportunities to push youselves to & beyond your boundaries. As you have heard countless times here in this blog, WE determine our boundaries. We determine to what extent we are willing to push ourselves to not only reach, but break through our self set boundaries.

Often times though, we only consider physical or financial boundaries. How far can we push ourselves physically or how can we overcome financial limitations. What we miss though, is that there are many things that we experience every day that we take for granted & that are boundaries for those outside of the USA. Countless people in countries around the globe face boundaries that for you & I are commonplace.

Such is the situation in Gabon (West Africa).

I have had a seveal opportunities to see some of Port Gentil (the eastern most part of Gabon) during my Saturday morning runs. Starting off from the company apaartment, one would not think much.

It is shortly after head out, that one realizes that "we are not in Kansas anymore Toto."

Iguanas (I think they are iguanas) are everywhere as this sentinel watches as I run by.

A short jaunt down the street & then a left turn towards the Port Gentil International Airport.

Veer left just before the airport & then I am on the road towards the beach (so I am told). It must be right as seen by this roadside boat but it does not look like it has seen water in quite a while.

Everyone seems to be very friendly as the common "Bon jour" was exchanged each time I passed anyone. Children seemed to be intrigued a I ran by. I am not sure why; was it because I was running, or because where I seemed out of place? People just seemed to look up & then go back about their business.

Just looking around at "normal" life here, makes one appreciate what we have in other places. In order for the Gabonese people to have what we accept as normal, they would truly be pushing the outer boundaries of what is often set by political & ecconomic boundaries. Unfortunately what has happened, is that they have just accepted their "reality" & no longer push to strive & be more. Through generations, they have accepted this. Such is a real loss for humanity as every person has a tremendous amount to offer if only they believe.

Business at this local supply store is anything but busy.

Running by the local supply store, I came across someone's home. Think twice next time if you think you have it rough.

After getting to the turnaround (about 3 miles out), I came across what I thought must be the burial grounds for all of the old cars. In actuality, I found that after an accident (likely a fatality), the cars are just pushed to the side of the road & left.

Now that you have a better picture of a place beyond your boundaries, you can see that some boundaries take an immense inner strength & determination to break through. Boundaries that are set through years of poverty & opression.

If you don't mind now, I will catch my alarm clock & figure out how to set it.

God Bless you;

Ken

It's A New Year (Started Off in Africa)

Well, I will have to admit that I have not been the best at regular blog posts in the past but I hope 2011 will change this. New Years always means resolutions, right? I do not mean those that you set & have no intention of doing (like joining a gym - just kidding).

2011 will be a year of phenomenal growth & change for Know No Boundaries as we are looking to add to our Board of Directors & to lay out specific fundraising goals & events to do this year. Unfortunately we may have a bit of a late start as I was called out to Gabon (West Africa) for (4) weeks to "babysit" a few key customers while the regular guys is on vacation.

It can be a beautiful country with loads of beach so hopefully I can get in a it of running while I am here. Sogara Beach is one of those beauties here in Port Gentil.

Since I do not have a car, I may not get a chance to run along the beach. Most likely it will be through town (stay tuned for some pictures).

Know No Boundaries will be starting the event year off by running the Post Oak Challenge the end of February. It is a 50K trail run on Saturday & a marathon on Sunday.

Stay tuned & God Bless you.