Big Rocks in First | The Art of Manliness

Feel like you're busy all day but not getting anything done? This object lesson inspired by Stephen Covey will show you why that is and what you can do to become more effective in life. It's all about putting those Big Rocks first in your calendar.

[@Nick-jp8cn]

Dear Brett, I'm 16 years old. Last year in school I failed just about every class, was mean to others, was arrogant and irresponsible. With your help I've turned my life around completely, I'm a straight-A student, I have a job, I'm responsible, and viewed as a very kind person. With putting the big rocks in first, I've learned how to manage time between work, school and friends, on top of that I've created a small side business shining shoes. In short Mr. McKay, you have changed my life for the better, thank you.

[@imranhaider5519]

Nice to hear that .... What are you up to now ..?? Just curious.?

[@temporarychannelname8620]

I'm actually curious too. If it's not too much, of course.

[@rewalos5077]

Thanks for sharing. Glad to know.

[@winterwarden]

when I was 16 I wrote something similar to a content creator I really enjoyed. It's a bit much , and the truth comes first kid.

[@rainbowsandkittens1537]

@@imranhaider5519 Maybe he's enjoying an early retirement.

[@artofmanliness]

For the last time... my table is fine. :)

[@gabrielquinto-dangelo1266]

Good to hear! Also, please do more videos like this in the future. I honestly find these philosophical videos more beneficial than the abundance of how-to-cook videos you have on the channel so far. Nonetheless, thanks! Looking forward to more videos like this.

[@cristianestrada3683]

Did you rock plant grew up?

[@Cutter1018]

I trust that no rocks were injured in the making of this film?

[@Gepstra]

4:30

[@0786akshay]

+Art of Manliness I AM STILL IN SAND HAHA

[@ianmurphy9955]

Art of Manliness is my new favourite KZbin Channel

[@chrisg477]

First you had me when you said "quit checking Buzzfeed"...such a useless/unimaginative website. Then you sealed the deal when classifying "Gym" as a big rock! Stay Manly My Friend

[@Dani.Spaghetti]

Probably the best advice ever!

[@artofmanliness]

Thanks, man.

[@jackofkell1525]

When I was a boy I was given this demonstration by both my leaders in boy scouts and by church teachers. Always good advice, always taken to heart. :)

[@GeriSkirata]

Brett, my dear sir, always posting just what I need. I'm starting my third semester in energy engineering and I'm tired of pulling all-nighters because I'm too damn lazy to put the big rocks in first. Thank you for another awesome video and while I'm at it, thank you for AoM, it has literally changed my life in the past year. I don't want to waste your time by elaborating it here, but really the journey so far has been extremely satisfying and I feel like I found something I've never searched for but most definitely needed. All the best from Hungary!

[@artofmanliness]

Gergely Peter Thank you, sir. Very humbled and glad we could be of service. Best of luck on your journey to becoming the man you want to be.

[@edab-t4f]

Brett, you rock!

[@artofmanliness]

Thanks! (No pun intended... right?)

[@kylek947]

I saved this video to my favorites 9 years ago. It’s still just as applicable to this day!

[@mildlyfeasible]

You're doing God's work, Brett.

[@artofmanliness]

Thanks, mildlyfeasible

[@robertweiss484]

These kinda of videos get me in just the right mindset: optimistic, insightful, thoughtful, creative, and deliberate. Thanks for all the great and inspirational videos, Art of Manliness! Keep on keepin on!

[@mills8102]

I tell my boys a simpler version of this: eat your veggies first. I think your demonstration may be a lot more effective. Will do it this weekend. Thanks for this.

[@HP-vy6is]

Wonderful!!!! Thank you for showing us how to manage life in order to be happy and contented

[@DNDWAGGS]

My husband shared this video with me, I am a stay at home mother of 5 with the two youngest children at home during the day. I also attend school online and workout. I need to learn how to make time to breathe. Thank you for this post, now let's hope my ADHD does not get in the way of my planning. Now off to search for a calendar. Squirrel! Thanks Brett.

[@iloveshinyobjects]

Hopefully it didn't I have ADHD too!

[@Beardman29]

Thank you Stephen Covey. RIP

[@Pixelated_Moon]

Resurrecting an old video and comment, I know, but I was actually searching for a video of Covey's demonstration and found this. It is annoying that Covey was not credited his due for this concept - even the title is identical. For anyone interested in the original source material, check out Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This demonstration is part of Habit 3: Put First Things First.

[@gabrielquinto-dangelo1266]

Not sure if you still read your comments, but this video really lifted me up on a low day. Thanks Brett

[@AkshayMehta]

Priorities explained in the best way, ever. I'm sure going to apply this in my life. Stay manly!👍

[@artofmanliness]

Let us know how it goes!

[@gvaidya1]

You are a gift to this world my man.

[@WatPatat]

I still come back to this video every now and then, more than 6 years later, and I still recommend it to other people. Awesome content! Reading Eat That Frog! now and it makes me think of this video

[@joaosirangelo1199]

Art of Manliness I've stumbled up on your videos today and I really wish it would have happened sooner. In the videos I've watched so far, you talk about issues that I have been facing daily (recently entering college and trying to plan for a carrer), and your advice is actually really helping me out. Thanks for the help and great job on the channel!

[@artofmanliness]

joão sirangelo Glad to be of service.

[@JedediahCyrus]

I definitely needed to see something like this. I'll be getting those "Big Rocks" in my life done first from now on and sticking to it. Thank you for the video.

[@artofmanliness]

Awesome, Jedediah Cyrus!

[@OmarCarreto]

Thanks for the illustration Brett. I really just stopped being so "busy" on unimportant stuff a month ago...my brain was running in 1,000 directions but now I'm doing as your experiment, also I will put my jar on my night stand as a reminder. Keep up the great work!

[@saxophonexsb1407]

I believe that this concept explained in simple ways will help to change people's life. Thank you for the original representation Art of Manliness!

[@cyberpunk4915]

This video is definitely a big rock

[@Kenney9120]

I am beginning to do this and it reduces stress greatly and makes for a far more productive day. :)

[@ShanePhilipLife]

Good tip. Do the important stuff first, set aside the time for it without compromising . I like it.

[@blutarsky3106]

Great advice, I will use it to take the useless stuff out of my schedule and incorporate the more important things. Thanks, always looking forward for more videos.

[@BigBoiTurboslav]

Wow, this was in my face the whole time, and yet I didn't realise that I need to focus my main priorities first! Thank you so much!

[@ghengiscrayon]

Good perspective. I will present the concept and vid during our sales meeting this week. I often share your content with the wife, if only to show that her man is capable of introspection and self improvement. Thanks for that.

[@AmanSingh0699]

this guy deserves more subscribers, very underrated!!. Thank you sir.

[@XKeMiST1]

Great twist on the old video/story. This is a perfect representation of something that everyone deals with but few identify.

[@CarmelFan2024]

This analogy is used in freshmen 'life skills' courses but honestly, I struggle so much with this DESPITE knowing that I'm losing all the BIG rocks. Thank you! Very well presented.

[@StasRyadinsky]

Wow thanks man. This might change my life if i correctly implement it into my daily routine. From tomorrow I will try to organize my time according to this metaphor. Again thank you.

[@artofmanliness]

It's a simple idea, but often hard to implement. Just takes dedication. Go get 'em Tiger!

[@leviathan937]

Thanks Brett, I've seen this demonstration before but it's one of those things that you need the occasional reminder or point in the right direction to help keep on your path. Stay Manly.

[@artofmanliness]

Yep, got to get those reminders in. Making this video was a nice reminder for me.

[@DorianF244]

When i initially read the title I thought it said "big rocks in fist" and I thought "sweet, he is going to teach us a brutal new self defense technique!". Still a great video and it does teach you how to guard your time wisely (so I was right on some level).

[@artofmanliness]

Big rocks in fist is next week.

[@DorianF244]

Art of Manliness haha look forward to it! Even the thumbnail picture shows you holding up two like "come at me bro" lol. Good stuff.

[@IsrarTaj83]

When I first saw this video, I thought it was about collecting big rocks.

[@redrowansen]

An important lesson for sure. I've heard several variations of this, one of my favorites was a professor doing this demonstration to students using ping-pong balls, gravel, sand, and coffee. Whereas the coffee represented that no matter how busy life seemed there's always time for coffee with a friend.

[@stevepicataggio]

As most of your videos are extremely helpful for me, this one is definitely the best. As a professional jazz musician prioritizing time for practice, playing gigs, setting up sessions/rehearsals and teaching is crucial. Thanks so much for some great ideas for improving my daily schedule!

[@artofmanliness]

Glad to be of service! Loved your rendition of "Moonlight in Vermont." That's a favorite of my wife's and I's. We go to Vermont almost every summer with our family.

[@stevepicataggio]

Art of Manliness Wow, thank you so much for checking out some of my music, really means a lot! If you're ever in NYC, come out to a gig!

[@rageblanket2139]

One of your most valuable videos! Thanks.

[@jahnwarnermedia]

love this..first heard it with the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey!

[@redcrossknight4617]

Bret, thank you so much for this post and for your awesome blog, which I've frequented after finding this post by sheer serendipity. I suffer from ADHD and am also a visual learner, so seeing your awesome lesson, which puts words into actions, finally cut through my fog of confusion. I've been watching "productivity" videos and reading books on the subject for almost two years, but I still was having a hard time getting it together. I actually had five different reminder apps on my computer and mobile devices, which was a horror trying to remember where I put one thing or another. I'm in the process of condensing everything into one place. I like Google Tasks because it syncs with Google Calendar. I've changed the way I structure my day, after watching your lesson and it has transformed my mood and, of course my productivity. I look at my "lists" in the evening, and I put three "rocks" at the top of the list, and it's such a good feeling knowing that none of the important things are left undone. You're awesome. God Bless.

[@iloveshinyobjects]

Awesome; great job I have ADHD too!

[@sashachiecsek6346]

Did anybody feel guilty while you were watching this video because technically you're surfing the Internet

[@noahvanharen92]

Sasha Chiecsek Exact feeling lol

[@contrabone]

+Sasha Chiecsek (6strings) Yup, going to practice now...

[@Padruig9]

+Sasha Chiecsek (6strings) Not really, it's my nightly routine before bed.

[@MongoMan95]

This is manly research so it's not a waste of time.

[@Dorksterist]

Yeah me too. Direct hit.

[@DodiAzmi]

Fantastic visualisation, thank you

[@gunfighterdrummer]

In other words do you compound lifts before those curls, leg extensions, etc.

[@StephanErasmus0103]

So great seeing things in perspective now! Thanks for this!

[@addsilva26]

Amazing video!!! Very creative way of putting the idea across.

[@iloveshinyobjects]

I miss the Art of Manliness youtube videos...I love this example so much I ended up making my own video on it.

[@SweeturKraut]

One of your most useful videos yet. Keep them coming.

[@artofmanliness]

Will do!

[@Emperorgonzo1]

I needed the reminder thank you.

[@jvb5590]

Thank you for demonstrating a theory with tangible objects. Good job.

[@oscarstrokosz2986]

Thanks Brett. I still have trouble following this idea but it has helped greatly.

[@tylernotthecreator713]

This was a great way to make your point easy and fun.

[@LightTruthLove]

What an outstanding metaphor!

[@nikogonzales9705]

My younger bro and I are both recently out of the military, so coming from a lifestyle with so much structure it has been a struggle to keep on top of what needs to be done and what I want to get done. We both started this week off with a bit of planning and so far its helped a lot. Definitely going to be using your mind dump idea!

[@Dean90125]

I've shown this video to other folk and they have found it very helpful.

[@chrism9037]

Well done Brett. Spot on!

[@pawekamocki487]

Hi Brett - I've known your website for a while now, but I only recently got into your youtube videos and I have to say that I enjoy them immensely. It was to my regret that I discovered that the latest one is from a year ago. If you are thinking of adding some new videos in the future, please take this message as an encouragement to do so. Regards.

[@glaubeco]

Great sharing Brett! Very-well placed in the 7-Habits series. #Manliness

[@pablohyslop]

Another great video

[@Mayankbhattacharya]

This was indeed a very helpful video! :D

[@everettcody9336]

i know im asking the wrong place but does anyone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account..? I stupidly lost my password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@luisleonard8052]

@Everett Cody Instablaster :)

[@everettcody9336]

@Luis Leonard i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@everettcody9336]

@Luis Leonard it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much you really help me out !

[@luisleonard8052]

@Everett Cody Happy to help =)

[@user-kh4we2ti9z]

man, i really liked that visualisation! You went from Sand to Gravel to show me how to put big rocks

[@nikos_miou]

Thank you very much Mr.Mckay for the useful advices!

[@atl3630]

Brett, thanks for the video. I just got a challenging promotion at work and have been struggling with staying focused on the "big rocks." It seems like everything else is eating my time. I'm going to combine this advice and the video about planning my week to get my groove back. Thanks again.

[@pTrr]

awesome lesson !!! planning and prioritization is one of the key to a more efficient life. i ll try to capitalize on that lesson and do it.

[@ChiliFries]

Brett, for every piece of advice you give that improves my life, I will donate 1 dollars. Prepare to get rich.

[@artofmanliness]

Carlos Gonzalez Just share us with your friends!

[@Awyden-g2j]

+Carlos Gonzalez its self improvement :)

[@coopess1]

Hi Brett. Thank you for your channel and hard work. This is by far the best man's channel i've seen. I like your audience oriented videos instead of marketing some man product videos like others (more often than necessary, like every video). This really sets you apart. I hope you do well and I am sure you will. Do what you love and wealth follows through. Respect.

[@farocatolico6150]

Awesome intelligent video ! Very useful actually !

[@abdullahamin6332]

Sir you are great great great and your examples are great

[@mustafaadilabdullah]

i think this is the best theory i never ever seen thanx alot i am one of your fans i'm from iraq 😊

[@maniesinghwalia]

Love this, makes so much sense actually.

[@LazyshowxD]

awesome thinking!

[@debangsubanerjee2155]

Genius.. Absolute Genius..

[@mcbroomjacob]

This is such an important message. However I would have never found the message without some mindless web surfing to discover the Art of Manliness so it is important, after the big rocks of course, to fit some sand and water in. Thanks for all the work you do on your materials. Your book, website, podcast, youtube videos, really have improved my quality of life. Stay manly sir.

[@artofmanliness]

Exactly. Nothing wrong with sand and water. Just get those big rocks done first. And thanks for the kind words man! Glad to know AoM has helped a bit on your quest to become the man you want to be.

[@mcbroomjacob]

Art of Manliness Well I've been looking a long time for a source like the art of manliness. I am trying to read more and be a better husband, father, citizen. Keep up the good work. And stay manly!

[@SarinaSaman]

Thank You,, so nice explained!

[@TipizzzleFoShizzzle]

Great videos. Especially this one and the early riser. As a college student I need to start implementing all the videos I'm watching. Thanks y'all

[@MindManiacMarcus]

Awesome advice Sir!

[@srinivaskari]

absolutely spot on

[@mattparadis8302]

I am going to use this in my youth group when I talk about dealing with stress. Thanks Brett.

[@artofmanliness]

It's definitely something young people should be exposed to.

[@fergusjcc]

awesome analogy!!! In another time, I heard this in a history zen... is very interesting :) Greatings from Chile :)

[@artofmanliness]

Animo!

[@fergusjcc]

Art of Manliness .. and congrats for his page... is amazing! :)

[@diamanteluzgarcia1171]

Your videos are so insightful, and empowering. Thanks for giving us the tools to create our future. +Sincerely grateful, a man in training.

[@David-lu4gq]

Are there any other 20-year old lads watching these videos? 'cause I fell odd watching these videos, as though I'm too young, but it still connects with me.

[@Vlad88667]

great video, I never thought of it this way before!

[@davinciandiversity8823]

Wow, this is extremely helpful.

[@jnordman86]

Good points, looks like you had a good time with that one

[@PabloEasyGo]

This is great advice, thanks for this!!

[@artofmanliness]

You're welcome, sir!

[@jhgindia]

Nicely illustrated sir.

[@66tbird1]

Very nice metaphor. Did you notice the extra time it took to organize your full day? (fill the jar with everything) That also points out a daily jar fill is always a work in progress.

[@artofmanliness]

Great insight.

[@DARKGORZ]

Art of Manliness Okay, so I am 28 years old and landed my first real job about four months ago working receiving at a smaller grocery chain; basically I empty trucks all day. Now, I've been wanting to draw for quite some time, but before I got this job I could not really do it often because it was the only thing I had to do. Now I have this job to distract me, but no time to draw because I am so tired on my days off.

[@Twitch_sarowow]

Boomstick1911 hello, I'm 20 y/o with not alot of work experience. But I have a suggestion! Do you eat/sleep well enough? if not, that might be a reason for your "tiredness". I also have a passion to draw by the way.

[@wavecity27]

Got introduced to your channel by 'Real men, real style' Very grateful, enjoy your work every much (watched the ones abt morning habits, and the jiujitsu series), your contents are fantastic Will be reading your Manvotional book soon!

[@coiledsteel8344]

The KEY is putting the BIG ROCKS in FIRST!

[@AdvYasirCh]

Lovely piece of work man...You just have solve my problem...I was hanging around here and there to manage my time like for work..study...club..emails....youtube...other funs stuff...but now i can manage easily.. Health Club+Work+Study=Big rocks Email+KZbin+ google= sand like this and other am now ook with my mind...Feeling free for noe

[@jomanhattangroup]

Bloody great stuff, mate, so very aptly said. An inspiration for all the men-in--waiting. Keep the up the good fight, this simple simian soul admires your nous.

[@charisstylianou]

Very true! Can help all of us! Thank you John for publishing this!

[@Megaflubbie]

I really am going to need to fit the big rocks in first this year. Nice example with the rocks btw!

[@artofmanliness]

What sort of big rocks do you have in your life right now?

[@Megaflubbie]

Art of Manliness Mostly school. I am in college right now, studying game artist. and this will be my last year. In this last year I will also have to be an intern at a company. But I still have a lot to learn before I can get an internship at a company. I have about a half year to get to that level of skill. But the big problem I always have is that I spend way to much time doing the fun stuff and not paying much attention to the big rocks.

[@artofmanliness]

Megaflubbie Take a listen to our recent podcast. Some good info relating to what you're talking about: soundcloud.com/artofmanliness/78-the-myth-of-following-your-passion-with-cal-newport Also, pick up the book Mastery by Robert Greene. You're on the right track. To succeed you need to focus on developing your skill right now. Everything you do should be scheduled around that.

[@Megaflubbie]

Art of Manliness Thanks, just listened to the podcast, and will look into the book.

[@jakekempen4400]

I've really been thinking about this a lot over the past few days. "Big rocks, big rocks," I keep saying to myself.

[@maihuong968]

oh, I understood. thank you so much!

[@joseto1648]

thanks a lot!!! . from chile! greetings!

[@nachobed]

really liked this one

[@premier69]

i should be working right now but instead i find myself watching your videos :) hey, atleast you provide some wisdom to help me do this in the right order.

[@malardjm]

That is an interesting take on the subject and nicely written too, thank you. A code of honor might have an intrinsic value for those in the population who are genetically predisposed to be reckless and asocial. A human who relies on integrity as a guardrail against becoming less than a man would also look for hard quantifiable evidence that he is not deluding himself, independently of what other people might say or think of him.

[@mofopics6034]

This video can change someone's life

[@Jumaholic]

Working on my RN! This will help immensely.

[@artofmanliness]

Awwwww, yeah!