一個實驗的啟示

Ahigh school science teacher wants to demonstrate a concept to his students.He takes a large-mouth jar and places several large rocks in it. He then asks the class， \"Is it full?\"

Unanimously， the class reply， \"Yes!\"

The teacher then takes a bucket of gravel and pours it into the jar. The small rocks settle into the spaces between the big rocks.

He then asks the class， \"Is it full?\"

This time there are some students holding back， but most reply， \"Yes !\"

The teacher then produces a large can of sand and proceeds to pour it into the jar. The sand fills up the spaces between the gravel.

For the third time， the teacher asks， \"Is it full?\"

Now most of the students are careful of answering， but again， many reply， \"Yes!\"

Then the teacher brings out a pitcher of water and pours it into the jar. The water fills the sand.

At this point the teacher asks the class， \"What is the point of this demonstration?\"

One bright young student raises his hand and then responds， \"No matter how full one's schedule is in life， he can always squeeze in more things!\"

\"No，\" replies the teacher， \"The point is that unless you first place the big rocks into the jar， you are never going to get them in. The big rocks are the important things in your life ... your family， your friends， your personal growth. If you fill your life with small things， as demonstrated by the gravel， the sand， and the water...you will never have the time for the important things. \"

So， what are the \"Big Rocks\" in your life? Spending time with your children， your parents or your spouse? Taking the seminar or class to get the information and perspective you need to succeed? Making the time to set goals， plan for your further development? When you are troubled because there is no time， remember the story about the Big Rocks and the Jar!

一位中學自然老師想通過一個實驗告訴學生們一個道理。他拿出一個廣口瓶，往里面放了幾個大石塊。老師然后問學生：“瓶子滿了嗎？”

同學們異口同聲地回答：“滿了！”

老師又取出一罐碎石子倒進廣口瓶，小石子填充了大石塊之間的縫隙。他又問學生：“現在滿了嗎？”

這一次除了少數幾個沒有回答的學生，其他人都說：“滿了!”

然后老師又把一罐沙子慢慢地倒進了瓶子里，沙子填滿了小石子之間的縫隙。

老師第三次問道：“滿了嗎？”

這次多數學生不敢輕易回答，但仍有不少人說：“滿了！”

老師接著取出一壺水倒進了瓶子，水滲進了沙子里。

這時，老師再次問學生：“你們認為這個試驗說明了什么道理？”

一個聰明的學生舉手回答說：“不論一個人平時的日程安排多么緊，他都能擠出時間來做更多的事。”

“不對，”老師說，“實驗的關鍵是你必須先把大石塊放進去，否則你再也放不進大石塊了。大石塊代表生命中最重要的部分……你的家庭，朋友，個人的發展。而如果你先做生活瑣事，就像先放入小石子、沙子、水……你就不會有時間做更重要的事。”

那么在你的生活當中，什么才是重要的呢?是和你的父母、妻子和孩子共度時光，還是參加講座、聽課來獲得更多的知識，使眼界更開闊，這一切都是成功的必要因素。或者是為個人進一步發展而確立目標，制定計劃?當你在為沒有時間而苦惱時，請記住這個“瓶子實驗”的啟示。