The Golf Ball Theory – A Simple Way to Prioritise Your Time
A well-known analogy explains how we choose to prioritise our time and energy.
A man stood in front of a group with an empty jar. He filled it with golf balls and asked, “Is it full?” The group answered, “Yes.”
Then, he added small pebbles, shaking the jar so they settled around the golf balls. Again, he asked, “Is it full?” Again, they answered, “Yes.”
Finally, he poured in sand, shaking it until it filled every last gap. Now, the jar was truly full.
What’s the Lesson?
The golf balls represent your core priorities, such as your business, family, and long-term goals. The pebbles are things you enjoy, such as hobbies and social activities.
The sand is everything else – admin, small tasks, and distractions that take up time but do not contribute to long-term success. If you fill your jar with sand first, there will be no room left for your golf balls.
What Are Your Golf Balls as a Business Owner?
Take a moment to consider your priorities. Are you focusing on the growth of your business, or are you getting caught up in the sand of day-to-day admin? Are you spending too much time on tasks that could be delegated or outsourced?
My mum is 71 years old and in great health (touch wood). She worked hard all her life as an Education Adviser for Music and Arts, before retiring comfortably at 58.
When I asked my mum about her golf balls, she immediately said, “My grandchildren.” But she was spending more time on pebbles, like hobbies, and even more time on sand, like household admin and financial tasks. These were things she could afford to outsource, but she was still doing them herself.
Are you confusing pebbles with golf balls, just like my mum did? She was losing valuable time that could have been spent on what mattered most.
Trademark Protection – A Golf Ball or Just Sand?
Many business owners put off securing a trademark because it feels like just another task on the list. But if your business is your priority, protecting it should be a golf ball, not something pushed aside by distractions.
- A registered trademark secures your brand identity and stops competitors from copying you
- It adds value to your business and makes it more secure for the future
- It allows you to focus on growth without worrying about legal issues
Yet, too many business owners delay it, thinking it is just admin. The reality is that brand protection is a golf ball – if you leave it too late, it could cost you far more in the long run.
How Will You Use the Time You Save?
Trademark applications and brand protection can be time-consuming if you do it alone. But by working with professionals, you not only save time but gain the expertise needed to ensure the best outcome.
Instead of handling legal paperwork, what could you focus on instead? Would you invest that time into growing your business, securing new customers, or improving your services? Would you finally have time to focus on the areas that drive real success?
Let Us Handle the Sand While You Build Your Business
At Trademark Helpline, we take care of the legal process so you can focus on what truly matters.
- Simple, hassle-free trademark registration
- Expert brand protection advice
- Peace of mind knowing your business is secure
Watch the golf ball video here: Hints, Tips and Tales – YouTube
Running a business comes with a long to-do list, and I know first-hand how easy it is to put off important things like brand protection. But I have also seen the consequences of waiting too long – businesses losing their name, facing legal battles, or struggling to reclaim their brand. That is why Trademark Helpline exists. We take care of the sand so you can focus on what matters, building a business that lasts.
If you liked reading about the Golf Balls, Pebbles and Sand analogy, I wrote an article on my consumer site ‘Claim My Loss’ about why people choose to use No-Win No-Fee solicitors when it comes to car finance and financial adviser claims. You can check it out here.
