How do you eat an elephant?
Have you set goals? If I asked you to locate the piece of paper with your short and long term goals written on it would you be successful? I am a big believer in setting goals and more importantly, writing them down. When I was a young man, only thirteen or fourteen years old, I heard about the importance of goal setting and taking the time to sit down to write them out. I did just that and set myself personal goals in number of areas; Education, Career, Family, Financial, Public Service etc. I also set them to a timeline. I have only shared all of these goals with a handful of people because I believe that this was a defining moment in my life and for me, a very private matter.
On the other hand, I have very publicly achieved many of these goals. Graduating from a top 12 business school would be one of them. In my quest to be more open, I have decided today to share with the world one of my other goals that I set 13 years ago. I want to write a book. After my current project at Wallhogs, I think I will take some time away from startups and write.
This evening I was able to line up with an experience author and personal friend of mine Stephen Cobb. Stephen is an amazing writer and someone who I deeply respect. His advice was the perfect blend of caution and encouragement. He opened with, “I believe there is one great book in all of us.” This made me smile and I think he is right. It does help, however, when you’ve got an experience author to help guide you way. Thank you, Mr. Cobb.
It is unnecessary to point out that this is not a small task – I have always held ambitious goals. If you’re going to dream, dream big! But I think this project would be somewhat like trying to eat an elephant. When I embrace this project, I will be sure to post the news here. I hope that post comes sooner rather than later. And oh yeah, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 😉
This Post Has 11 Comments
Comments are closed.
Great idea Kendall! I think many people dream of promoting their thoughts and research to the masses, but do not because it is such a daunting task. Each of us can write of our own ideas and experiences and teach readers something unique, a new perspective or new thoughts. We are all story tellers everyday in our lives – writing a book is just putting it up paper. Best of luck, Kendall.
Thanks Joe. Thanks for reading. I’ve already brainstormed a few ideas on the subject of the book, but I’m positive it’s something that I will have great passion for. I don’t think it’s possible to undergo such a large task without enjoying the subject matter.
Good post. I agree, goals are very important. Goals are the way that we push ourselves and our boundaries. As you reach a goal and achieve something you thought was unachievable, you realize you can push yourself further…this leads to the next goal and the next and so on… Once you eat an elephant, you might realize you really could have eaten a whale.
Hi Anderson! I agree. Goals should be reviewed and readjusted based on over or (hopefully not) under performance. I think you’re right on about pushing ourselves out of our boundaries. I think the sense of accomplishment only comes because of difficulty.
You could always forget the fork put the elephant in the blender and then take it in like a slurpee. That’s perhaps the problem we all think ‘one bite at a time’ then we only through one leg and quit. Think outside the box, elephant slurpee.
Hi Sarah! Thanks for reading. Hmm… an elephant in a blender? An elephant slurpee? Didn’t I just see that flavor introduced at 7-11?
Awesome post, Kendall. I have a list (or two) of personal goals like that. I most definately need to revisit them. It’s amazing that even if you’re not consciously aware of them, you are still working on those goals that you wrote as a teen or child.
I’ve also posted about your idea in my goalsetting blog (click on my name to my site). Hope you can drop by. 🙂
Heather
Thanks again!
Heather,
First, thanks for the link love. Very cool. I think there is something to the unconscious leading you towards your goals. Perhaps there is some power to that. Maybe that’s a good subject for a follow up post. Any interest in tag teaming a post on this subject?
Thanks,
Kendall
A very good post, far too often we avoid the things we want in life because they seem too daunting. They just seem too difficult to achieve. I think it is because we are too short sighted. The want it now generation. Setting goals is a great way to combat that trap and accomplish big things one step at a time. Thanks for the reminder my friend.
Ah! The Antman! Great to hear from you Jim. Wouldn’t you agree that the best things in life are worth fighting for? It is the challenge that brings reward. Would there be much fun without the challenge? 🙂
One foot in front of the other…
woooooow….. a very good post picture of animal….
whatzzzz….. the biggest weight of the animal? i wish that theres a lot of elephant are living to now!!!