How do you eat an Elephant?
When I joined John Maxwell Team in October 2015, the online platform was so overwhelming because of the enormity of information, tools and materials. I quickly joined a mentorship group and the quote above was how our mentor, a lady, started.
Reflecting back to 1990 when I was doing my one-year compulsory Industrial Training (IT), I decided to get a job, work for a while to raise money for furthering my education. I remembered one day; a former neighbour who was a teacher came to visit us. He asked my plan and I told him I was not going back to school immediately for financial reason. His questions and analysis stunned me. He asked me: “how much money do you need?” And I gave him a lump sum. Then he asked me, “how much will you spend in the first semester?” In essence I should break the lump sum into small chunks of week, month and semester.
Wow! Voila! For the first time, I saw the possibility of going back to school immediately after the Industrial Training and I did not waste one day after that. Though it was tough, but I made up my mind to work at it. I was ready to work. I was prepared for the uphill climb. I cut off every frivolity and focused on my studies. I was mindful of the fact that I was living one day at a time. Every week, every month, and every semester, I was able to get my stay in the school funded by the support of my elder sister who was already working and by doing vacation jobs. I graduated at the end of 2 years with an upper credit even though I was working hard for distinction.
I have used the concept of “Eat the Elephant one bite at a time” to achieve many other goals I had set for myself and I am still using it. The concept helped me to plan my professional exams and qualify as a Chartered Secretary and Administrator within 2 years after I had wasted 18 years. As at 2019, I was inducted a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) and I had served as an Executive member of the Lagos State Chapter of the Institute. Currently, I am serving in two committees of the National body while I run a consultancy firm. I am growing as a Coach, Speaker and Trainer. I have served as a Volunteer Mentor with a United Kingdom based Foundation and a Volunteer Facilitator with Lagos State Ministry of Education Initiative to facilitate Employability and Entrepreneurial Skills for graduating students. I am still “Eating the Elephant one bite at a time.”
Maybe your goals look so intimidating to you like my own did back then. You want to be better, healthier, less stressed, more organized, financially free and do more of what you love this year. Maybe you want to become an entrepreneur, start your own business. And you lack the required fund and necessary tools to start. You are afraid that you will not be able to realise your goals. Don’t be intimidated. Break the goals into small chunks of daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly plans.
But, do you have what it takes to make it? I mean really grow this year? Are you ready to work? Are you prepared for the uphill climb?
If you are then it’s time to get serious. It’s time to get a guide and a system that can take you where you want to go this year. Make this year about learning how to prioritize your time, thinking, and life. Learn the key to making serious growth happen with a proven expert.
Invest in your learning. There are FREE online trainings on Goal Achieving, Personal Growth and Development, Leadership and Business. If you run an organisation, you can also schedule a complementary Lunch and Learn of 45 minutes for your team members on any topic ranging from Goal Setting/Achieving, Team Building, Communication, Emotional Intelligence and Excellent Customer Service. Don’t waste any more energy on dead-end plans for making changes and building new habits.
Attend trainings that can help you with actionable steps to implement right away so you can start doing what works and trashing energy-wasting activities. It’s all about growing toward your potential and taking charge of your life. It’s your year. This is your chance to get it done and get it right.
If you need help and you are interested to learn, you can join our Super Achievers Mindset Facebook group for our FREE trainings on https://web.facebook.com/groups/1240491066143538/
See you at the top!