Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a massive goal or obstacle and you have no idea where to start? Maybe you’re having trouble planning, taking action, or deciding what step to take next.
Desmond Tutu famously said: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!”
Many of us struggle with tackling big ambitions, often leading to frustration and giving up. But what if there was a way to make even the scariest of tasks manageable? Yes, we can do things ourselves, but sometimes we have trouble prioritizing, making a sequence of actions to take, or understanding where we need help, which new skills we might need, and what the end goal looks like. The thing is, you don’t have to know everything yet.
It’s also normal as we move forward step by step that we often feel overwhelmed outside of this comfort zone. This is often when self-doubt creeps in, when perfectionism and negative self talk creep in, and even self-sabotage. But here’s why and how working with an EFT Coach helps you reach your goals, BIT BY BIT....
Understanding the "Elephant" Metaphor
Breaking down overwhelming goals
When you're faced with a massive task or goal, it can feel like you're staring at an enormous elephant, wondering how on earth you'll manage to consume it. This is where the "eat an elephant one bite at a time" metaphor comes in handy. By breaking down your overwhelming goals into smaller, manageable chunks, you make the seemingly impossible become possible.
Here's how you can apply this approach:
- Identify the "elephant": Clearly define your big goal or project.
- Divide it into "bites": Break the goal into smaller, actionable tasks.
- Prioritize: Determine which "bites" to tackle first.
- Set deadlines: Assign realistic timeframes for each task.
- Take action: Start with the first "bite" and work your way through.
The psychology of tackling large tasks
When you understand the psychological components of facing big challenges, it helps you approach them more effectively. When you break down a large task, you're leveraging several psychological principles that can help you stay motivated and less overwhelmed:
Reduced anxiety: Smaller tasks feel less scary, reducing stress and overwhelm.
Increased motivation: Completing small tasks gives you a sense of accomplishment, fueling your drive to continue.
Improved focus: When you work on specific, manageable tasks, it helps maintain your concentration and productivity.
The benefits of small ‘Bites’ & incremental progress
When you take things one step at a time, you set yourself up for success in a way that feels achievable and sustainable. Here’s why this “bite-by-bite” approach works:
Keeps You Moving: Small wins create momentum, making it easier to stay on track.
Gives You Flexibility: When you tackle things in smaller chunks, it’s easier to adjust and refine your approach as you go.
Brings Clarity: Breaking a big goal into smaller pieces helps you see the path forward more clearly.
Boosts Confidence: Each completed step reinforces your belief in yourself and your ability to achieve the bigger goal.
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The Role of an EFT Coach
What is EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques)?
EFT Tapping, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is a therapeutic approach that combines elements of cognitive behavioral coaching with acupressure. It’s often referred to as "psychological acupressure" because it involves tapping on specific points on the body while focusing on your emotional issues.
The tapping process targets specific points on your body that are linked to your nervous system. Studies show this can help lower your cortisol levels, activate your body’s relaxation response, and bring balance back to your nervous system. As a result, it helps ease emotional distress and leaves you feeling calmer and more balanced. How EFT coaching supports goal achievement
Setting Achievable "Bites"
Identifying manageable sub-goals
When tackling your "elephant-sized" goals, breaking them down into smaller, manageable sub-goals is crucial. You'll find this approach less overwhelming and more actionable. Start by listing all the components of your main goal. Then, prioritize these components based on urgency and importance. Consider:
Which tasks are foundational and need to be completed first?
What can be accomplished with your current resources and skills?
Which sub-goals align with your short-term objectives?
Remember, each sub-goal should be specific, measurable, and achievable within a reasonable timeframe.
Creating a realistic timeline
With your sub-goals identified, it's time to create a timeline that works for you. Be honest about your available time and energy. Consider:
- Your daily routines and commitments
- Potential obstacles or busy periods
- Your natural energy cycles and productivity patterns
Assign deadlines to each sub-goal, allowing buffer time for unexpected delays. It's better to overestimate than underestimate the time needed. This realistic approach sets you up for success and reduces stress.
Celebrating small victories
As you progress through your sub-goals, it's essential to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement keeps you motivated and builds momentum. You might:
- Treat yourself to something you enjoy after completing a sub-goal (USE STICKERS!)
- Share your progress with a supportive friend or your EFT coach
- Keep a journal of your accomplishments to reflect on your journey
By celebrating these small victories, you're reinforcing the bite-by-bite approach and maintaining the enthusiasm needed for long-term success. Remember, each "bite" brings you closer to your ultimate goal.
Overcoming Obstacles with EFT
Addressing Your Limiting Beliefs
When you’re going after a big goal, limiting beliefs can often hold you back. You might notice some common limiting beliefs popping up, like:
"I’m not good enough"
"I don’t have what it takes"
"I’ll never be able to achieve this"
I’ll guide you through EFT Tapping exercises to challenge those beliefs and help you reframe them, so you can develop a more positive mindset moving forward.
Managing Your Stress and Anxiety
As you work towards your goals, stress and anxiety can get in the way. But don’t worry—EFT is an effective way to manage these emotions.
Boosting Your Motivation and Confidence
EFT isn’t just for clearing stress—it’s also great for boosting your motivation and confidence. Together, we’ll create personalized affirmations to use while tapping, so you can reinforce positive beliefs about your abilities and potential. As you keep up with EFT, you’ll notice a shift in how you see yourself, making it easier to take action toward your goals.
Dealing with Setbacks
Setbacks are part of the journey—no one’s journey is perfect. But I get it, they can feel discouraging. EFT is a healthy way to process those disappointments and keep you moving forward. When a setback happens, I’ll guide you through techniques to:
Acknowledge your feelings without judgment
Release any negative emotions tied to the setback
Reframe the experience as a learning opportunity
Refocus on your goals with renewed determination
Using EFT to face these obstacles will help you stay resilient and keep making progress toward your goals. You’ve got this, and I’m here to help you get there.
Tracking Progress and Staying Accountable
Effective Goal-Monitoring Techniques
As we work together on your "elephant" with EFT, it’s super important to keep track of your progress. Here are a few simple techniques you can use to stay on top of things:
Daily Journaling: Write down your wins, challenges, and feelings every day. It’s a great way to stay in tune with where you’re at.
Visual Progress Charts: Create a chart or graph to visually see how you’re moving forward. It can be motivating to see it all laid out.
Milestone Tracking: Break your big goal into smaller, bite-sized milestones. Celebrate each one as you hit it!
Time-Blocking: Set aside specific times for tasks and track how you're using your time. This helps keep you focused.
These techniques will keep you focused and motivated as you move toward your goals. Plus, by checking in regularly, you’ll get a clear view of how far you've come and where you might need to shift things.
Adjusting Strategies as Needed
As we work through your “elephant,” you might find that some strategies are more effective than others. And that's totally okay! The key is to stay flexible and adjust when needed. Here’s how we’ll do it:
Evaluate what’s working and what isn’t
Identify areas where you're hitting roadblocks
Develop new strategies to keep you moving forward
Refine your goals if your situation changes
The road to success isn’t always a straight line, but by staying open to adjusting your approach, you’ll be way more equipped to tackle challenges and keep making progress toward your goals.
Conclusion
Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With an EFT coach by your side, you're not just taking steps – you're taking purposeful, emotionally-aligned actions towards your dreams.
Don't let the size of your goals intimidate you. Embrace the "bite-by-bite" method, and watch as you steadily transform your aspirations into reality. Your elephant is waiting – it's time to take that first bite!
About me:
As an Accredited Transformational Coach (Animas Centre UK) and Certified EFT Practitioner (AEFTP), I help you overcome low self-worth, imposter syndrome, and limiting beliefs using powerful EFT Tapping and coaching. Ready to transform your emotional health and boost your confidence?
If you’re curious about EFT Tapping and how it can enhance your emotional resilience while addressing issues like low self-worth, perfectionism, and negative self-talk, download my FREE EFT book! ➡️ https://bit.ly/4e672x7
