Achieve Your Goals By Eating The Frog And The Elephant

Brian Tracy, the great motivational guru, often suggests that people do their most important and toughest task at the start of the day. They must 'eat the frog' for breakfast and then they will feel great for the rest of the day and have extra energy to cope with all their other tasks.

When it is light enough in the summer, I get a walk and some weight lifting in at the start of the day when it is cooler. I then feel set up for the rest of the day. The walk is quite a tasty frog to eat but still demands some effort and will power.

If you are writing a book, write first thing in the day. Writing may be the most difficult thing you do all day. Get it done straight away. Eat the frog.

After eating the frog, you have to eat the elephant (the huge amount you have to do during the rest of the day) How?

Bit by bit.

How do you build a house? Brick by brick. How do you walk ten miles? Step by step. I love books with titles like "HTML in easy steps"

You can't learn HTML in one big study session but step by step, inch by inch it's a cinch. Step by step you will have time to digest what you have learned.

Self-help books frequently use phrases like 'step by step' with good reason. Taking small steps can work wonders.

If you want to lose weight and are given 5 sausages to eat, give one of them to the dog or throw it in the bin.

People who have done this type of weight loss behaviour have achieved remarkable results. That extra sausage or biscuit gradually built up their weight; not eating it will gradually lose their weight.

Jewish students who wish to be rabbis usually have to study the Talmud, a huge book of many volumes. Their rabbis tell them a story called the 'Heap of Dust' to help them to keep going and not give up.

Two men were asked to move a heap of dust. One soon gave up. The other said I will move a little every day even if it seems that I am getting nowhere. Eventually he moved the heap of dust and was rewarded accordingly. The other man achieved nothing and his reward was nothing.

The principle is the same whether you are eating an elephant or moving a mountain of dust. Tackle the task bit by bit.

If you eat the frog and the elephant, you should have a great day and begin to achieve all your goals.

Resource box

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now!" The book can be found at this URL: http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine so long as you do not alter it and keep the resource box as it is.


Make 2005 Your Best Year Ever - Its Not Too Late!

We are moving rapidly through 2005, and you'll find previously... Read More

10 Ways To Hold Your Focus and Get Your Goals

Hocus, Pocus, it's all about focus. That's the real magic... Read More

Setting Goals and Achieving Them

Whatever you want in life, you have far more chance... Read More

Who Needs a Rear-view Mirror? Successful Living by Mastering Our Past

When driving, we need to check our rear-view mirror every... Read More

Focus

To have a goal is like having a road map.... Read More

Goal Setting - A Valuable Lesson

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is... Read More

How to Achieve More by Dealing with Resistance

Today I want to discuss the missing link in goal... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: What Would You Like to Accomplish in 100 Days?

Here's a question for you:What would you like to have... Read More

Fulfill Promises You Make to Yourself

I believe innately we all do our best. We work... Read More

Getting ready for a transition? Read the Fine Print of Your Dream

"In the factory we make lipstick; in the drugstore we... Read More

4 Steps to Inspired Goal Setting

At the beginning of the year, there's often an orgy... Read More

Writing a Mission and Vision Statement

Last year, I attended a seminar where the attendees were... Read More

What is The Right Action That Leads To Your Ultimate Goals?

What is the right thing I need to do to... Read More

7 Ways To Ignite Your Vision

Probably the hardest skill to teach, and the one of... Read More

When You See Money as a Tool in Your Goal Setting Process, You Will Lead a More Balanced Life

Where Does Money Fit In the Goal Setting Process?Some view... Read More

Plan, Prioritize, Play 10 Strategic Ways To Be Time Rich And Stress Free

1. Retrain your self-talk, to remove selfish from your vocabulary... Read More

Ten Reasons To Have an Inspired, World Changing Goal

In a nutshell, having an inspired, world-changing goal is the... Read More

How To Create Your Very Own DREAMWALL!

A great way of attuning yourself daily to what your... Read More

Writing Your Personal Vision/Mission Statement

I recently spent some time revising my personal vision/mission statement... Read More

How to Triple Your Productivity in 28 days - Part II

If you've been diligent in doing the past 2 concentration... Read More

Broken Sleep

For the past several weeks, I have not been sleeping... Read More

Are You Willing To Risk It?

What would your life be like if you kept doing... Read More

Get More Done!

Have you ever heard the old saying If you want... Read More

Get It Done-Or 3 Ways to Advance Your Goals

1. WORK WITH THE END IN MIND- OR FOCUS ON... Read More

Creating the Best Year of Your Life

At the end of each year, and on their birthdays,... Read More