Selling Watermelons

As the story goes, two men decide to go into business together.

They build a shed by the side of the road, then purchase a truckload of watermelons from a local farmer for $1.00 each. They take them back to the shed, where they display and sell them…for $1.00 each. 

After every watermelon has been sold,

they return to the farmer, buy another truckload for $1.00 each, and again sell them for $1.00.

On the drive back for the third load, one man says to the other, “We aren’t making much money, are we?” to which his partner replies,

“No we’re not. Do you think we need a bigger truck?”

This story, which I first heard from Dallin H Oaks, is a perfect case study in the management of our time. 

So often when we are overwhelmed, we believe the solution is more time.

If only there were more hours in the day, we think, or days in the week, we could finally catch up.  

But the solution for profiting from watermelons is not a bigger truck, and the solution to time management frustrations is not more hours in the day.

It is always to make the most of what you have, whatever that may be. 

Pause and take a moment to consider the next 12 hours you have been given. Much of it will be accounted for, by work, rest, caring for the needs of your family, etc. See the value in those allotments.

Then consider what remains, and don’t sell yourself short! Those watermelons could sell for far more than $1.00, and the value you extract from your time is entirely up to you.

You can accomplish a day's worth in a week, or a week's worth in a day.

Taking an opportunity to intentionally allocate your time can help maximize your potential and ensure that you don't wind up

sorry...

I have to say it...

cannot resist....

Melon-choly.