A new year, a new beginning. May 2025 be a good year for you!
We do reflect back, especially at the start of a new year. Maybe even working on some new year resolutions.
I spoke to my dad on the phone. Looking back, and counting the key events of your life, you realize at some point those numbers are becoming less.
If you lived to 80, that is 80 New Years in your life. If you are 50 now, that means you only have 30 left.
There is this motivational story about a glass bowl. In the bowl you have 80 marbles. And each year, you take out one. As the years pass, you start seeing how many there are left.
We tend to remember key events in our lives. Starting a business. Moving. Birth. Deaths. Anniversaries. Living in the moment, living today, is what makes memories.
Here is an adapted version of the “The Glass Bowl, Stones, and a Cold Beer”
The Glass Bowl, Stones, and a Cold Beer: A Lesson for Family Business Owners
Mr. Carter, a seasoned business consultant, stood in front of a room filled with family business owners.
The attendees were from diverse industries, some ran bakeries, others automotive shops or local stores, but they all shared the same struggle: balancing the demands of their businesses with their personal lives.
On the table before him sat a large glass bowl, a pile of fist-sized stones, a smaller pile of pebbles, a container of sand, and a can of beer.
Without saying a word, Carter began to place the large stones into the bowl one by one until it was filled to the brim.
He looked at the group and asked, “Is the bowl full?”
“Yes,” they replied in unison.
Carter nodded, picked up the pebbles, and poured them into the bowl. He gently shook it, letting the smaller pebbles settle into the spaces between the larger stones. “How about now?” he asked.
“Surely now it’s full,” someone said, chuckling.
Smiling, Carter picked up the container of sand and slowly poured it into the bowl. The fine grains filtered into every last crevice.
“Now?” he asked again.
“Yes, now it’s full,” the group agreed, though a few seemed unsure.
Carter reached for the can of beer, opened it, and poured it into the bowl. The liquid seeped into the sand, prompting laughter from the group.
When the laughter subsided, he said,
“This bowl represents your life as a family business owner. The big stones are the most important things, your health, your family, your core values, and the vision for your business. These must go in first, or there won’t be room for anything else.”
He continued, “The pebbles are the day-to-day operations of your business: keeping the lights on, managing your team, and serving customers. These are critical, but they’re not the foundation.”
Pausing, he gestured to the sand.
“The sand is everything else, the distractions, the unnecessary tasks, and the noise that often consumes our time. If you let the sand fill the bowl first, you’ll have no room for the pebbles or the stones.”
The group nodded in understanding, and Carter lifted the can of beer with a grin.
“And this beer? It’s a reminder that no matter how busy you are, there’s always time for a cold one with family and friends. Taking that time isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.”
The room erupted in applause, but Carter could see the wheels turning in their minds.
They weren’t just thinking about the bowl—they were thinking about their lives, their families, and the legacy they wanted their businesses to build.