How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Growing up, my mom had a way of turning any chore into something almost fun. She’d always say, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” At first, I had no idea what she meant, but it quickly became clear. Whenever my sister and I faced the daunting task of cleaning our rooms, instead of the usual “Clean your room!” which felt like a never ending mountain of work, she’d say “Pick a corner!” She made it a game where we’d focus on one small area at a time, and suddenly, the giant mess didn’t seem so overwhelming. It was all about breaking down the big tasks into little, manageable steps.

What made it even better was her timing. She would say, “You’ve got 60 seconds to tackle this part, and then come tap me on the shoulder when you’re done.” The clock would start, and my sister and I would race around, laughing as we tried to beat the clock. It was a small challenge, but it made cleaning feel like a team effort rather than a punishment. We didn’t just clean–we competed and helped each other. The best part? It never really felt like cleaning at all. It was more of a game with rewards built in.

As I’ve gotten older, I realize that this “one bite at a time” approach applies to so much more than cleaning. Whether it’s tackling a big work project, managing life’s overwhelming responsibilities or dealing with stress, my mom’s wisdom always rings true. When things seem too big, too complicated, or too daunting, all we really need to do is break it down into smaller steps and focus on one thing at a time. 

One book that echoes this beautifully is Atomic Habits by James Clear, which dives into how small, consistent actions can lead to meaningful change over time. It’s a simple but powerful reminder that progress doesn’t have to be dramatic—it just has to be steady.

It’s amazing how such a simple game from childhood has become a life lesson that continues to help me today.