Getting the large stones in the jar first: Ministry priorities

A lecturer was discussing time management with his students. He brought out a large glass jar and placed it on the table, before filling it with large stones. He then asked his students if they thought the jar was full.

One replied: ‘Yes.’ He then added a number of small stones to the jar, which slipped between the gaps of the larger stones, and then repeated the question.

One student responded: ‘No.’ Next he poured into the jar some sand: ‘Now do you think the jar is full?’ All his students responded: ‘No.’ Finally he topped up the jar with water.