My Gopher Journey...

The Goal and the Elephant Method

Setting Goals an Subgoals

Years ago, I read a small book on getting things done. Its advice was simple: set a big goal, then break it down into smaller subgoals. Like the elephant method — you cannot eat an elephant in one chew. You must cut it into manageable pieces.

Long term goal

My long-term goal is to move my old desktop app to the web. This is the real elephant — a journey that will take years to consume. It’s not just about starting development; it’s about choosing the right tools, learning them, and finding methods that align with my 4S philosophy. The aim is maintainability for the long run.

The short term goal

The short-term goal is smaller: my old desktop app had four variants (S, M, L, XL). To begin, I am building an XXXS version — a simple ToDo app. This mini app is a proof of concept, a way to test my compass and new tools. It may never reach the market, but it proves the path forward.

Progress Update

Right now, I am halfway through the short-term goal. Bit by bit, chew by chew, I am tackling this big elephant.

Lesson learned: Motivation lasts longer when each chew is small enough to handle.