1. A method of executing an instruction in a data processor, comprising the steps of: receiving a first instruction; decoding the first instruction to provide a first plurality of control signals; accessing an enable value from an enabled one of a plurality of processing elements in response to a first portion of the plurality of control signals, the enable value selectively enabling the enabled one of a plurality of processing elements to participate in execution of an instruction; accessing a history value from the enabled one of a plurality of processing elements in response to a second portion of the plurality of control signals; and selectively modifying the enable value in response to a logic state of the history value.