Do you ever wonder why most people fail at so many things or even quit a couple days/weeks/months after they start something new? Well it's because they want to eat the whole elephant at once. What do I mean by eating an elephant all at once? How can this be of any help to you or me who has gone through so many failures in life?
I read once in Cosmo that many a people like to think because they have started something they will inevitably become experts at it and that's were most fail. When learning something new always think you will reach at least average just like a beginner mountain climber doesn't start thinking about reaching the peak of mount Everest until after they have 1.) climbed the first mountain 2.) climbed a few more after that and got some experience and 3.) start to work there way up until they reach the tip of Everest.
Do not be in a hurry to be the expert in whatever field, take your time to learn the basics and master the confusion in your own head first.
I have always wanted to learn how to speak a new language but I got over myself and started thinking about that time when I will be perfect at the language how many chats I will have in that vernacular. My approach should have been:
1: Learn and listen how to say the basic words that; firstly can get me past customs and can help me with everyday dealings like saying hi! How are you? Thank you! Please! You're welcome and the classical British "lovely weather today".
2. Practice, practice and practice; you can never gone wrong practising something over and over again until you get it. As adults learning is not always easy for most and it's very challenging to remember what was taught. My mum has gonna back to uni as part of her job and she told us she attended a class and once the lecturer had finished after 2 hrs her and her colleagues were asking what they just leant because somehow the brain didn't register anything which they could retrieve there and then. A couple days later they went back had a follow on class and they remembered a bit from previous class! They re-read the first class and second class lectures over and over again until something stuck. So you can see practising doesn't always make perfect but helps prepare.
I was once told that if you want to learn a new language try watching tv in that language without subtitles. I tried it and it was more frustrating if I am honest but after I had done some research in the language I wanted to learn, I went back and watched the program without subtitles and it did make a difference. I can now just about understand the basics of the language though I am not an expert.
How can you apply this in your life? How should you eat this elephant?
1. Cut into pieces - when learning something new or tackling something new break it down into small pieces (the basic components)
2. Understand each component and how it fits into the overall picture.
3. Piece the little components until you form a picture
4. Step back and think outside the box and see how this can be applied in other areas.
And that is how in my opinion you eat an elephant. What are your thought!
Labels: Personal confessions
