I was once given the task of eating an entire elephant by a co-worker. He asked me if I knew how to do it. I responded, "I haven't got a freakin' clue!" He smiled, put his hand on my shoulder and with his East Texas drawl said, "You eat an elephant one bite at a time."
I understood why he posed this question to me during a quick break at a meeting where our boss seemed pleased to give us each 100 things to do that were all due by the next morning. I was overwhelmed by the many additional task we were given on top of our normal work load. There was a part of me that just wanted to throw my hands up and quit.
His advice, "one bite at a time," seems even more appropriate today. It's been years since that short conversation, but it is just as appropriate today as it was then. I have lots to do, and it all seems to be due by the next morning. Even more frustrating, I have no idea what some of the "things" to do are because what I am trying to do is all new to me. I have no blueprint, just the desire to be my own boss. So I shall begin by not focusing on building a corporation (my personal elephant) but by focusing my attention on the first step. Now I just have to figure out what that first step is exactly. :)
Are there many others like me? I am at the point of self-destruction. I at one moment feel I can conquer the world and quicker than a New York minute I feel insecure and powerless. I guess the saying, "The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can not are usually both right" needs to be painted above my bed. It will be a constant reminder first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.
Lots to do, lots to accomplish, but I can only do it: one bite at a time.
I understood why he posed this question to me during a quick break at a meeting where our boss seemed pleased to give us each 100 things to do that were all due by the next morning. I was overwhelmed by the many additional task we were given on top of our normal work load. There was a part of me that just wanted to throw my hands up and quit.
His advice, "one bite at a time," seems even more appropriate today. It's been years since that short conversation, but it is just as appropriate today as it was then. I have lots to do, and it all seems to be due by the next morning. Even more frustrating, I have no idea what some of the "things" to do are because what I am trying to do is all new to me. I have no blueprint, just the desire to be my own boss. So I shall begin by not focusing on building a corporation (my personal elephant) but by focusing my attention on the first step. Now I just have to figure out what that first step is exactly. :)
Are there many others like me? I am at the point of self-destruction. I at one moment feel I can conquer the world and quicker than a New York minute I feel insecure and powerless. I guess the saying, "The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can not are usually both right" needs to be painted above my bed. It will be a constant reminder first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.
Lots to do, lots to accomplish, but I can only do it: one bite at a time.
