How to Eat an Elephant? One Bite at a Time This African proverb is of uncertain origin, often attributed to Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” The proverb is a vivid way to think about goals. Behind every achievement stand three forces— patience, self-control, and persistence —imagine them as a triangle. Through the lens of the proverb: Patience  — you know you can’t eat the elephant at once. Self-control  — you resist quitting w