Chunking (Salami Method)
"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
💡 What Is It?
Attributed to Alan Lakein, chunking (or the Salami Method) is a task decomposition strategy. Slice a daunting task into pieces so small they feel effortless. Instead of "write a report," break it into "open Word" → "type the title" → "write one sentence." Each micro-step releases dopamine, building forward momentum.
Source: Alan Lakein
⏰ When to Use It
- A project feels impossibly large
- You freeze when looking at your to-do list
- Perfectionism tells you to either do it perfectly or not at all
- You feel anxious just thinking about a task
- You need to maintain momentum on a long-term goal
✋ How to Do It
- 1
Write the final goal
Clearly define what done looks like. E.g., complete a 20-page report.
- 2
Reverse-engineer to the first step
Work backwards. What is the absolute smallest first action? E.g., open Google Docs.
- 3
Keep slicing until stress-free
If the first step still feels heavy, cut it smaller. Walk to computer → sit down → open laptop.
- 4
Focus only on the current slice
Complete one micro-step. Check it off. Celebrate the small win.
- 5
Let small wins compound
Step by step, you will travel further than you thought possible.
💡 Real-Life Example
"You need to write a 3,000-word essay due Friday. Instead of panicking, you chunk it: open Google Docs → type the title → write the opening paragraph → write one subheading. Each step takes 2 minutes. By Friday, it is done."