Day 14: Prioritizing What Matters – Walking for North Carolina
Today, on Day 14 of the #IWillListen Ruck Challenge, I walked six miles in honor of North Carolina’s first responders, where we lose an average of six responders to suicide each year. During my hike, I reflected on a conversation with my best friend, Scott, who reminded me of an important Covey-ism: not all the balls we juggle are crystal.
Life is full of priorities, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by “the things we want to do.” The graphic I chose for today illustrates this perfectly—a pile of stones representing our aspirations versus a jar of stones showing our true capacity. The lesson is clear: we can’t do it all, and that’s okay.
Steven Covey’s metaphor takes this further: we juggle crystal balls, wooden balls, and rubber balls. The crystal ones—our health, relationships, and core responsibilities—must never be dropped. Wooden balls are important but can withstand a few bumps. Rubber balls, while still valuable, can bounce back if dropped. The key is recognizing which is which and letting go of the guilt when we can’t keep every ball in the air.
Today, as I walked, I thought about the importance of making intentional choices about what to prioritize. It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things. And sometimes, that means letting a rubber or wooden ball fall so we can protect the crystal ones.
What are the crystal balls in your life? What can you let go of to ensure you’re focusing on what matters most? Let’s carry this wisdom forward and give ourselves the grace to prioritize with purpose.
