Big Rocks, Little Rocks: A Simple Framework for Prioritizing Your 2026 Goals

Are you a New Year’s Resolution person or a “start on a random Tuesday” person?

The internet seems to be quite aflame on arguing this form both sides, to a degree that I just cannot understand.

Resolution naysayers are all, “You shouldn’t wait for a new year to make a change. Start any day.” To which I want to reply, “Y’all, follow Mel Robbins advice and just ‘let them.'”

If the turn of a calendar ignites a spark inside you, then godspeed my friend. You do you. Whichever camp you fall into, you will benefit from Big Rocks, Little Rocks.

The Concept

I learned the Big Rocks, Little Rocks approach when my very patient older brother—who has an innate sense of scale and spatial awareness, unlike his sister—tried to help me turn my newly-purchased, ranch-style house into my dream home and received this face in response:

That’s when he said:

“Think about the largest pieces of furniture (sofa, entertainment center, area rug) as the Big Rocks and everything else (side tables, lamps, pictures, art, etc) as Little Rocks.”

The Big Rocks anchor the space (and are often the most expensive investments) and the Little Rocks can be easily moved around them to fit – or added later.

Here’s how to apply this to other areas of life:

Big Rocks = vacations, kids performances/games, weather-specific clothing to replace worn out items (#needit)

Little Rocks = dinner out during the week, shopping because you want vs. need it

Now let’s apply this to business:

Big Rocks = time-sensitive tasks/goals/content
i.e. The client event/deadline; 6-month revenue target; a morning-after event recap Reel for IG

Little Rocks = nice-to-have additions
i.e. anything else that you want to do, but the business won’t burn down if it happens a week/month later – if at all.

At DCM Communications, we plan all our content marketing (i.e. blogs, emails & social content) with this strategy in place.

Big Rocks go on the calendar first, then we add Little Rocks around them.

And as for how we choose what marketing channels to focus on? That’s decided based on what will get us to our revenue goals most efficiently and effectively.

Your 2026 goals are your Big Rocks.

Anything that comes up in the year that does not get you closer to that Big Rock, is a little rock and therefore NOT a priority.

Now get to rock-ing friend 🤘