There is a saying I often refer to when I or my team at work is faced with what seems like an insurmountable task, I ask the question; “how do you eat an elephant?” and then I give the answer; “one bite at a time.”
My professional life has taken on a new twist with new challenges and some of these challenges seem outside my realm of wisdom. Yesterday, I found myself reminding myself about what it takes to eat an elephant.
The “Eating Elephant” mode is a great way to accomplish anything that seems too big to conquer. Years ago when I thought there was no way I could beat my addiction problem, I was introduced to the 12 steps, which was a step by step approach of conquering addiction a day at a time. I’ve been eating that elephant for almost 22 years and boy does it taste good. 🙂
Anything great in life does not happen by chance and it usually begins with a vision. What happens with the vision is what separates the procrastinators from the “elephant eaters.” A vision thought through over and over and over and over, is how a procrastinator handles the vision. A vision reduced to writing, discussed with mentors and peers, prioritized, planned, focused on and executed is how elephant eaters operate.
The greatest revelation I have had in my years of eating elephant is how much God wants me to ask him to help me eat it. I find when I turn the insurmountable task over to God, it becomes surmountable. I’ve eaten many elephants over the years thanks to God, for it is not only he who gives me the vision, but he gives me the wisdom to put together the plan and the energy to execute the plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
What is your elephant? Are you eating it or is it eating you?
P.E.A.C.E.
