How Do You Eat An Elephant?

Originally posted on LinkedIn on June 11, 2025

In the undergraduate math methods class I teach, students complete an assignment called Math Buddies. For this project, they work directly with first and second graders at a local school. They administer diagnostic interviews, analyze the results, and design individualized math activities tailored to their buddies’ needs. After implementing the activities, students write an analytical paper explaining their choices, supported by observations from the assessments.

For many early childhood and elementary education majors, this is one of their first experiences with analytical writing. Most are skilled at descriptive writing; however, analytical writing requires critical thinking and justification, which often presents a new challenge. That combined with the fact that students visit the school once a week for five weeks, Math Buddies can become a large and potentially overwhelming assignment.

Having taught this course for several years, I have learned to recognize the inevitable sense of panic that creeps in. So, early on, I try to reassure students by telling them we will be breaking the project into manageable pieces. Then I ask them, “Does anyone know how you eat an elephant?”

Usually, this question is met with puzzled or uneasy looks. Occasionally, a student volunteers the answer: “One bite at a time.” After we discuss the meaning of the phrase, I have to confess that, as a vegetarian, I wouldn’t actually eat an elephant but using watermelon or artichoke in the analogy just don’t pack the same punch!

By sharing this African proverb, popularized in the 1980s by Desmond Tutu, I help students understand that overwhelming tasks can be conquered by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Each time we discuss a component of the Math Buddies assignment, I remind them how it fits into the bigger picture and emphasize the importance of taking it one step at a time. Over the years, I’ve refined the process so that students submit small parts of the assignment weekly, helping them stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

I personally use this “eat an elephant” approach whenever I face daunting tasks. Before writing, I create an outline. When juggling multiple responsibilities, I make lists. Taking things one bite at a time helps keep life from feeling too overwhelming. Is my process perfect? Definitely not, just ask anyone who spends time with me at home or at work. But I’m trying. In the end, I keep trying and that’s how I approach my problems: one bite at a time.

For a deeper dive, here’s a thoughtful 2020 Medium article exploring the elephant metaphor, and a blog post discussing some challenges of the “one bite at a time” approach.

I came across both after writing this article, and as a researcher, I feel compelled to share multiple sides of an issue. What are your thoughts on breaking big challenges into small steps? Do you have your own strategies for managing overwhelming projects? Share your experience in the comments.

(Image Credit: Canva AI Generator)