Big Rocks First

Today, in 3 minutes or less, you'll learn:   

1. How to build your business and your life around what truly matters, rather than getting lost in daily distractions.  
2. To grow your business without overwhelm, set realistic goals that fit your lifestyle.  
3. How to set a plan for the year ahead using guided prompts to map out a focused and achievable strategy. 

Does your to-do list and all you are juggling as a mum, partner, friend and business owner overwhelm you? It often feels like we have so much to do and so little time. In this newsletter, I want to help you step back and focus on what matters most.  

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the analogy of the rocks, pebbles and sand. Though it is unknown who came up with the original concept, it was popularised by author Steven Covey. The quick summary is that you imagine life as a jar filled with rocks, pebbles, and sand, with the rocks being the most essential things in your life and business. Often, we fill our lives with all the sand (the little stuff) and pebbles (more minor but still significant tasks) that come along and don't move us closer to our goals. Our priorities or 'big rocks' often get ignored, and it is impossible to squeeze them on top of all the pebbles and sand if we haven't prioritised them. So, if you focus on your rocks first, everything else will fall into place.  

I've been thinking a lot about my 'big rocks' for this year, so they are a focus rather than an afterthought that doesn't get done. In particular, I want to achieve significant business and health goals this year. Prioritising what we value most is even more relevant in our current lifestyles, with so many inputs (especially technology and social media), dumping more and more pebbles into our lives.  

Have you given enough thought to your priorities for the year? I want to share some prompts with you that may help you journal and guide your planning for the year ahead so that your ‘big rocks’ will be sorted too. 

Business Growth and Strategy  

• What is the one big business goal I want to achieve this year?  
• What offers or products do I want to create or improve?  
• How do I want my business to fit around my family life?  
• What marketing strategies feel aligned and sustainable for me?  
• What skills or knowledge do I need to develop to grow my business?  

Time and Productivity  

• How many hours a week can I realistically dedicate to my business?  
• What tasks should I focus on, and what can I outsource or automate?  
• What systems can I put in place to make work easier and more efficient?  

Mindset and Wellbeing  

• What fears or limiting beliefs might hold me back, and how can I overcome them?  
• How will I protect my energy and avoid burnout?  
• What small wins will I celebrate along the way?  

Finances and Growth  

• What is my income goal for the year, and how will I achieve it?  
• What expenses do I need to plan for in my business?  
• How can I improve my pricing or revenue streams?  

Support and Community  

• Who can I lean on for support—mentors, business friends, or family?  
• What networking or learning opportunities do I want to explore? 

Happy planning!