How do you eat an elephant?

This month I want to encourage you to go after a big goal for the next quarter of 2011. Find something that will stretch you, something that may be in your goals for this year already but you are going to get it done by the end of June. I have shared with you before my thoughts on what you can achieve in 90 days. Write a book, learn a new instrument, learn a language, learn a new sport, start a new business. The options are limitless but the rewards that you will set in motion could transform the current trajectory of your life. Please note I sat and passed my professional accountancy exams after 90 days of study – recommended study time one year. Don’t underestimate what you can do in 90 days.

A more recent personal example is what I did over the last 90 days. You see I decided at the beginning of this year that I would do the research, write the plan, facilitate the support and then start a new business. It complements my existing business but it is a brand new source of income. I haven’t banked the first cheque but I expect to do so by the end of this week. Praise the Lord!

Having chosen what it is you will do and stepped outside your comfort zone. I hear some of you saying what can I do to keep motivated? How will I find the time and energy to do what it takes? Well I must let you know that I did a few late nights and a number of 15 hour days. I had to sacrifice my extra gym session a few times and there were times that I knew if I didn’t get up to bed by a particular time the Mrs would be fast asleep, (you know what I mean). I am sure there have been times in your life where you have found this passion, commitment and feeling of purpose which just drives you to do what you need to do. When the wheels are then set in motion the momentum takes care of itself. Even whilst I have been sleeping over those 90 days my brain has been working. How do I know, well the string of ideas that I have woken out of my sleep to write down and get this that I implement straight away.

Before you embark fully on the goal, you must work out your non-negotiable time. You see to keep your focus on a task like this in a short timescale you have to work on it every single day in some shape or form but at the same time keep a balance in life.

I had to have my time in devotion with God, including our family devotion every morning and one rest day. I had to keep up my gym routine for the week and reading a book every couple of weeks to expand my thinking. I didn’t compromise study time with the boys but there were a few times that family time (our weekly fun sessions) got less of my attention. Keep your priorities but then work on your big goal one bite at a time. Then you can use the “Hour of Power” to maximise and accelerate your progress. Anthony Robbins the motivational speaker and personal development coach encourages us to have this hour of power each day where we motivate ourselves, remind ourselves of our goals and take time to be grateful for all the good things in our life . Talk and Grow Rich, author Ron Holland recommends that we have at least twenty minutes each day of silence, stillness and solitude. In one of the books I am reading at the moment Jack Canfield “How to get from where you are to where you want to be”, He refers to Azim Jamal a prominent speaker in Canada. Azim recommends that we have 20 minutes visualisation, 20 minutes of exercise and 20 minutes of reading inspirational or informational books.

Why not develop your own unique hour of power and use it to keep yourself motivated to achieve your elephant within the next 90 days. On reflection it has been my routines, my disciplines, my hour of power that has helped me to keep focus.
I will be waiting in anticipation to hear of all your achievements. Guess what you need to do next. Yes you got it. DO IT NOW