ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS USING A SIMPLE METAPHOR

I had already passed three exams and I needed to pass three more to qualify in my profession. To date I had been taking them one exam every six months. But now (in my wisdom...) I was taking my three remaining exams in three consecutive days!

While studying I was trying to work full time and support my family. 

As the exams drew closer and the size of the workload before me became more apparent. I started to beat myself up for all of my procrastination. The overwhelming fear of failure began to rise up inside me.

Then I remembered an age old expression about facing down overwhelming tasks.


HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?
ONE BITE AT A TIME

Credit: healingfoodscookbook

Don't fret about the whole task, just take it one bite at a time and in the end you will get there.

For such a simple message it had a profound effect on me. It can be applied to any scenario in which you are trying to accomplish a goal.

I'm sorry if you clicked on this article expecting something new and ground breaking, but for me this is basic psychology at its simplest and most effective.

It does not need to be overcomplicated just accept the fundamental message and act upon it.

Meditation and mindfulness can assist you in refocusing or calming down but to me this is more effective at encouraging action.

I applied the "elephant theory" to my exams, studying one part of each subject at a time and not thinking about the rest of it that had yet to be done.

I'm glad to say this worked for me, I passed my three exams and have now qualified in my chosen profession.

I like to repeat this phrase to myself several times a week to keep myself grounded and focused on what I need to accomplish.

Thanks for reading.