Work productivity, time management, organization, tools and tips

Nice way of visualizing it, Claire. I wouldn't want to put pickles in those jars ever again, though :).

Great metaphor -- I can even smell those pickled rocks waiting in a few of my own jars... Thanks Claire...

The idea is simple. The analogy is cute. But it is hardly revolutionary, and the lack of accreditation to Stephen Covey for the "rocks in a jar" analogy borders on plagiarism.

Yes, AC, you're right. When I quoted from this post, I didn't know that the theory described was Covey's theory. Before I read your comment, I started searching on rocks, pebbles and pickles to prepare some follow-up posts, and I discovered the Covey connection. Many sites quote the same passage describing Covey filling "a large jar" with rocks and sand, etc. The only difference is that it isn't specifically a pickle jar.

So, my posts will include that reference, along with how this theory ties into Covey's priority quadrant theory. Thanks for bringing this up. I think the transparency and accountability of blogging are some of its greatest strengths.

"Borders on plagiarism"? That's not true, A.C. Claire hasn't tried to present anyone else's ideas as her own here; she's merely endorsed a time management theory as described at another site, and she provides the link to that site (A List Apart).

Jeremy Wright, b5media president and a great guy (I've talked to him), wrote the ALA article to which Claire linked above. Incidentally, in his article, Jeremy is not doing anything remotely resembling plagiarism, either - he gives credit for his pickle-jarring to a "theory that was recently taught in a Leadership course I’m enduring [...] called the Pickle Jar Theory" - no attempt is made to make anyone think he came up with the theory himself.

Read more carefully next time, Anon, please! And thanks for visiting us, and feel free to step out of the shadows of anonymity. We'd love to know you personally.

By the way, thanks for asserting that Stephen Covey is the "rocks in a jar" creator here - it would be great if you could offer us a link to support that assertion.

Good response, Claire, and good reporting. I'm sure A.C. will apreciate your efforts. If I'm wrong, I hope to find about it too and learn from it. Transparency is an honest blogger's best friend.

Support for assertion:
HERE

Thanks Anonymous!

Really liked the idea, alhtough sometimes you must include a lot more pebbles than rocks due to certain priorities, or you can break your rocks into pebbles. I know it sounds funny but i got this idea from the divide et impera algorithm i often use in informatics.