How to Eat an Elephant

I recently returned from a wonderful vacation in the U.S. I spent some time with my family, visited some friends, and spent three weeks in Alaska, climbing Mt. McKinley. Mt. McKinley, or Denali, is the highest mountain in North America. Before I started the climb, I asked a climber who had just flown off the mountain if he had any last-minute advice. "Climb one day at a time," he said wisely.

Our lead guide, who has six summits of Mt. Everest, reinforced this sage advice when he asked us, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer, of course, is "One bite at a time." I'm taking this for granted, because I have never eaten an elephant, nor do I plan to. It made me think, however, that we all have our own "elephants" to eat. Sometimes it is best to remind ourselves to "eat" them one bite at a time.

Our unforgettable climb began at 7,200 feet where we arrived by aircraft at the Kahiltna glacier. The thought of ascending to 20,320 over a distance of about 15 miles (somewhat steep) was a little daunting that first day. After 5 days, we had only reached 11,000 feet but had covered more than half of the horizontal distance. This meant that the remaining elevation gain would be quite rapid. It was important to travel slowly, both for acclimatization purposes and to become stronger rather than weaker as the climb continued.

We reached the summit 13 days after we landed on the mountain. At times we traveled no faster than 1/4 mile per hour, breathing at a rate of 2-3 breaths per step as the amount of available oxygen gradually diminished. There were times when I thought I could only take one more step. So I would take it, and then I'd take one more, and one more, until I had climbed for two more hours.

Every day I stayed focused on that day. I didn't think about all the climbing that lay ahead, just what my task for that day was. At the beginning of each day, I knew I could do what had to be done, whereas if I thought too far ahead, I might have doubted my ability to finish.

ACTIVITY

What is the elephant in your life? Do you have a task that you have been putting off because it seems to big too tackle? What about a change you want to make in your life that would require time, patience and courage?

Write down at the top of a sheet of paper what it is that you want to do. Make a timeline for completion, and break the task into smaller, less intimidating steps. Continue breaking the task down until you think you can manage each individual step.

Now start eating that elephant!

If you would like some support "eating your elephant," please don't hesitate to send me an email!

Jenni Fogle, Personal Coach http://www.vitaricca.com

Please email jennifogle@vitaricca.com to subscribe to my free monthly newsletter or for more information about how coaching can enrich your life!

---

Procrastination: Hypnosis Can Help You Overcome It

I recently saw a t-shirt with the following saying: "Procrastinate... Read More

Mastering the Problem of Everyday Living

People are unhappy and defeated by their everyday problems that... Read More

Come Alive!

As many of you know I have a passion for... Read More

How To Be Motivated To Create The Life Of Your Dreams

When it comes to motivating yourself to be a better... Read More

Bold Action: Living in the Moment

Reality show audition...I did it!What an experience, a day and... Read More

The Easy Way To Lasting Self Motivation

Will power alone will never work over the long term.... Read More

What You Can Do About Procrastination

Goals stalled? Always running behind? Stuck in a rut?Procrastination means... Read More

Curing the Blues - 14 Feel-Good Ways to Get Out of the Dumps

Everyone goes through that "in the blues" feeling once in... Read More

What Comes First the Action or the Feeling?

In other words, it is in the "doing" that we... Read More

ABCs for High Achievers

A im for what you want by focusing clearly on... Read More

Discover the Hidden Power of Self Motivation

Many studies have been done to research the effects of... Read More

The Answer Is The Question ... Asking The Right Questions!

We all have questions about our lives, directions, and destinies.... Read More

Our Life ? Our Choice

OK, maybe that's a bit of an overgeneralization but it... Read More

Gremlins! Time to Take Control

It is a wonder we can function at all. Each... Read More

Lazy? Or Right on Schedule

Q. I've been working on a big project for a... Read More

Hanging On In There - How To Carry On When Your Motivation Is Flagging

"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take... Read More

Self-Limiting Beliefs: The Inner Enemies of Progress

What are they?Self-limiting beliefs are those things you believe about... Read More

Tips To Get Motivated and Overcome Procrastination

Procrastination is a complicated behavior that affects all people to... Read More

5 Great Ways To Overcome Procrastination At Home

If you procrastinate at home you may suffer some consequences... Read More

Why are You Living?

It was 4,O'Clock in the morning, my regular time to... Read More

Information Age: Knowledge is King

In our information age, having the right knowledge at the... Read More

Even Though

As often happens following one of the Best Year Yet... Read More

Words that Inspire: PASSION

What is your PASSION?Dictionary says: strong liking for or... Read More

It Is Up To You

One of the first things successful people realize is the... Read More

The Conversation of Recovery - Part One

Transformational Counseling is all about assisting another human being to... Read More

The Reason Nothing Happens - Is Because Nothing Is Happening!

I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their... Read More

Do I have What It takes?

What am I made of? Do I have what it... Read More

What Is The Value In Wanting To Accomplish Something?

When I listen to people tell me about some of... Read More

This Emotion Is As Helpful As Ali-Baba And His Forty Thieves!

Are you afraid of your own best ideas? Do you... Read More

Your Life Story: Whatcha Gonna Do? Write Your Life Story NOW before Its Too Late!

Imagine this scene: Project yourself into the future. You are... Read More

How to Take Your Stalled Projects to the Finish Line

Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More

Finding A Cure for I Disease

The 21-year-old rookie cop had his big chance to brag... Read More

Pushing Through Your Comfort Zone

Our greatest growth in life comes from pushing through our... Read More