Advice

Theory of Threes


So I have this theory. It applies specifically to my life, but could probably be manipulated to apply to others. Basically, I divide my life into three categories: School, Crew, and Social. School is essentially grades, projects, stress levels, etc. Crew involves everything: how practices go, if I get time in the launch, what boats I’m in, who is in my lineup, etc. Social is everything else. Mainly, how much free time I have, boys, friends, etc.

In my head, I have this picture of three equally large jars all lined up. I have a bag of sand that contains enough sand to fill up all three jars half way. The sand represents how much time I can devote to a particular category.

How much the jar is filled up represents my performance, I guess the outcome (?) of the category. It’s kind of confusing I guess, but anyways… If I divide my time equally, then the jars are all halfway filled. This means that each category is functioning, but only at a mediocre caliber.

I need school to go really well and crew to go well too, so mostly, I’ll allocate the sand from Social and stick 75% of it in School and 25% in Crew. I have to give up Social to get more School and Crew.

It’s really weird, but I’ll start to panic if I think Social is going really well because I know that means Crew and School’s sand amounts are cut back.

Since it’s summer, School is drained to zero. And I can put more sand into Crew and Social. Social is an absolute bust right now (=NO SAND). So, Crew is literally overflowing. I have more sand than I have room! I can’t wait to fill you guys in later!!!

Oh, and along with that extra Crew sand came a super sweet sunburn. Epic.

UPDATE: After receiving several comments, I realized that I didn’t completely explain myself perfectly. (My English professor this semester- LITTLE V & CALIFORNIA FUNK- would always get on me about assuming the reader understood my stream of thoughts… Apparently, I’m difficult to understand.) Anyways, I thought I should clarify.

The sand in the jars is good! Crew is going SO GREAT right now!!! It’s overflowing with fantasticness- yes, I made that work up. I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining…. I feel so lucky and blessed that I can spend half of my summer vacation doing something I love.

Also, I’m not trying to sound like I’m the busiest person on the planet. I’m a pretty good time manager, multi-tasker, etc. But, there is a limit on how much someone can do something in a day. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the president or a homeless person: YOU ONLY HAVE 24 HOURS IN A DAY. Putting sand in the jars is simply my visual representation of how I choose to spend the 24 hours.

Hope this clears it up!

xoxo

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8 Comments

Anonymous

Adorable post! Hope you get a chance to recharge your batteries and get some sand between your toes! Caught the comment about a beau in your life…have fun! Have a great summer and I look forward to you keeping me up to date with campus happenings in the fall.
Jason's mom

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Betsy

Oh my goodness, a visual besides your lists you complile…I didn't get it…not a visionary I guess.
Betsy

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Jones

I love the analogy! That was my life until I dropped my athletic activity in college. It sure is hard to balance. Good luck with your upcoming races!

xxoo

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Betsy

PS…as I pondered your three jars I realize I visualize each project from beginning to the end result which is another reason I always have Plan B in case it is needed. Mine just aren't jars but perhaps the same result.
Betsy

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Anonymous

most annoying post yet. do you think that you are busier than everyone else in the world? you're not. stop pretending that you are Almighty and way more important/busier/more stressed out than anyone else. so annoying.

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