Happy New Year! 
It's resolution time and many of us set new goals and strive for new heights. Some of the goals you set this year may be what Jim Collins calls BHAG goals --- Big Hairy Audacious Goals! I hope you have one or two those in your life...its' good for the soul. If you've set one of those for yourself this year, I have some friendly advice for you ... just start eatin' and keep eatin'! It takes initiative to get started and perseverance to keep at it, taking it one step at a time. 
BHAG goals can sometimes be overwhelming and have the potential to paralyze your action because of the huge task ahead. You've heard the saying "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!" That's how you tackle a BHAG goal ... one bite at a time. You just have to start eatin' and keep eatin'! 
In 2004, I set a goal to get a Masters degree. I had a full time job that required 50-60 hours per week, was still raising 3 kids, was very involved in my church, was helping my aging parents, and was struggling to make time for my beautiful wife, Debbie. Getting a Masters degree in this environment was certainly a BHAG goal. I didn't know how long it would take but they allowed 6 years to do it so I decided to get started ( I just started eatin'! ) One course at a time over the next 5 years ( I kept eatin' ) and in August of 2009, I had earned my Masters degree. What a great feeling that was!
In 2007, I set a goal to write a book. Definitely a BHAG goal. So I started eatin'. Making time to write with all the other responsibilities was difficult, but I just kept eatin' ... one bite at a time. A month ago, almost 5 years later, I finished the first draft - 458 pages. Debbie and I celebrated that day. I had eaten the whole elephant, but it took nearly 5 years. What a great feeling that was! I just started eatin' and kept eatin' until it was finished.
BHAG goals have the potential to radically change your life. The two I just mentioned certainly did for me. I hope you have at least one BHAG goal you've set for yourself....and if you do, just remember... you just got to  start eatin' and keep eatin'.  Initiative and perseverance will get you to the finish line.
Happy BHAG hunting! God bless you in 2012!
David