In the next ten years…

Life goes by so fast. I’m 57, and it seems like yesterday that I was 22. Where has the time gone? But when I think about what I have accomplished over the last 57 years, it’s mind-boggling. We are at times paralyzed by today. We have so much to do. We often overestimate what we can accomplish in a day but we underestimate what we can accomplish in a decade. A decade is 3650 days. Can you imagine what could be accomplished in 3650 days?

Here’s a little riddle: How do you eat an elephant? (I know you have heard this.)

Answer: One bite at a time.

Think about it. Nearly any challenge, goal, or dream could be accomplished with 3650 bites. Oh sure, I’ll never get another chance to try out and make the Cincinnati Reds or dunk a basketball. But there are tons of other seemingly insurmountable dreams and goals that could be.

1 bite at a time.

• You can grow a tree in a decade. So plant one today.

• You can double your retirement investment in a decade at 7.2% interest. So invest today. (The average is more like 8-10%)

• You can completely change professions and become an expert in a decade. Sign up for that class today.

• You can master a new hobby in a decade. Order those supplies today.

• You can become fully knowledgeable about almost every subject in a decade. Buy that book today.

So, make sure you don’t wrongly state that little saying, “we often underestimate what we can accomplish in a day but we overestimate what we can accomplish in a decade.” That just isn’t true.

Grab your pencil and a piece of paper. What is it that you want to accomplish, build, get done before you die? Jot it down. Brainstorm what all needs to be done? Figure out what your first steps are.

Now…one bite at a time.

Let’s get chewing.