Eating an elephant

I returned to the pool this morning having been in London for the last 3 days and was hoping that being tired wouldn't affect me as I had a 2k time trial in the pool.  Doing 40 lengths of a 50m pool gives you plenty of time to think (even worse if a 25m pool where you're doing 80 lengths!).  Around length 23 when I was struggling a bit I was thinking, in 126 days time I will be swimming almost double this distance followed by 112 miles on a hot, hilly and windy course followed by a marathon!  So lets get to 25 lengths then you only have 5 more to get to 30.  Then you're on the last 25% (the home straight) and in another 5 you only have 5 left - but in the meantime lets get to 25.
Now I wasn't being negative I was putting in context where I was with my training. The effect of this thought was to reinforce the need to really focus on every training session in the next 126 days to maximise the return as it prepares me for Ironman Lanza.  I won't be ready for the event until nearer the time so there is no need to panic.  And when I get to the start line the preparation will have been done - all that remains is the execution of the plan.
So when faced with a large target, big task or daunting change just ask yourself, how do I eat an elephant?  In small pieces of course.