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Have you ever heard the question, “How do you eat an elephant?” Or, maybe you’ve heard the more palatable version, “How do you eat a 1,000 pound marshmallow?” Either way, the answer is the same: One bite at a time!

Ok, so you probably don’t have a goal to eat either an elephant or a 1,000 pound marshmallow, but the truth in the answer applies to your large goals too. If you have a large goal, one that will take concentrated effort over a long period of time, you probably need to break it down into bite-sized chunks. As you handle each chunk, you are getting closer to your goal and keeping yourself motivated as well. Here are some things to remember as you plan you “meal.”

First, you need to analyze where you are right now. You really need to understand how big the project is going to be before you can start working toward it. What, exactly, is the goal you want to achieve? Do you need additional skills or education? How much time and effort will you be able to apply on a regular basis? Are you going to need someone guiding you along the way, or can you create your plan on your own? If you have a big goal, you need to do a thorough analysis of what needs to be done before you start.

Now you need to create a plan that’s broken down into those “bite-sized” pieces. By doing this, you will be identifying the incremental steps you will be achieving on your path to the goal. Be sure that each step provides meaningful progress toward your goal, but don’t make them so large that they seem insurmountable. If you do this, you will move from one step to the next with a good attitude because you have accomplished something significant (in the step you just completed); and you will have no problem believing that you can accomplish the next one as well.

As you progress according to your plan, you will probably find yourself more motivated at each step. Why? Because you are experiencing the good feelings of accomplishment, and you are showing yourself more and more that you really can achieve your goal. As you do this, you are actually increasing your motivation AND your momentum!

So, go ahead, eat that elephant! Just remember what your mother taught you about not putting too much food in your mouth at once and to chew each bite thoroughly before swallowing. Next thing you know, your “meal” will be finished, and you’ll be looking for the next one…maybe a rhinoceros this time!

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