Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

"There's nothing like biting off more than you can chew,

and then chewing anyway."

-- Mark Burnett

"He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk

and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

In recent years, and especially since I went into business for myself, I am constantly biting off more than I can chew. I used to complain that I had ten things on my plate and only five would fit and the question was only which five would fall. I don't complain about it any more--or about almost (not quite perfect yet. . .) anything now. Instead, I am more and more excited about the volume and quality of what I entertain chewing.

It's really become somewhat of a game, and a fun one at that. I do relish the excitement of it all and deal with everything as good as I can and I just don't worry about the rest. Frankly, as soon as I stopped worrying about what I couldn't get around to, all the pressure I was feeling sort of vanished. I thought that was odd at first, but delighted in it nonetheless. Since the pressure is gone, and the fun remains, it must be a good thing.

So, I cannot necessarily recommend biting off more than you can chew. That is a personal decision that can only be considered by each of us. However, I can and will tell you that I think it is an awesome way to gain capacity and to expand one's interests and abilities, along with knowledge and confidence. All of those are very positive results in my life.

Indeed, it is by the expansion of my capacity that I grow. Without that, I am bored and tired and lifeless. I love learning and so I am always looking for another learning experience, real and otherwise. As I expand in my capacity, I expand as a person, my business expands with me and it all works together. I am having the time of my life and enjoying every second of it. I care so much less about the eventual outcome as enjoying the exciting journey and I tell you straight up that this is the single most important element I have ever learned.

I used to be so focused on the objective and in such a hurry to get there and it never seemed to come to fruition the way I expected it. Circumstances I didn't expect frustrated me and I was periodically discouraged and worried. Since I have let go of the super-heated need for the eventual outcome, I have let go of all of that negativity. What a blessing that is.

I didn't say that I let go of goals, or dreams or the vision of what I want to accomplish. Instead, I dream those things as if it is already, and I want them, but the difference is that I don't get uptight about it anymore. I've learned that it isn't my job and I am better off not trying to do anothers job for them. My job is the dream, and the gratitude for the day and all that has come before, and the full experience of the moment in pursuit of what I want. It almost doesn't matter at all what the outcome is any more. I've let go of that responsibility. I now do the part I can control and leave the rest of it alone. This leaves me joyful and free.

I highly recommend it.