--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It wasn't until I had been writing on and…" description: "\"It wasn't until I had been writing on and off for maybe ten years that I started to establish any kind of routine, thought I couldn't put a finger on a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e98/neal-asher-24041_any_it-wasn-t-until-i-had-been-writing-on-an_2091820.jpg" --- # It wasn't until I had been writing on and off for maybe… ![“It wasn't until I had been writing on and off for maybe ten years that I started to establish any kind of routine, thought I couldn't put a finger on an exact date, and this routine relates simply to the aphorism 'How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.'” quote by Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e98/neal-asher-24041_any_it-wasn-t-until-i-had-been-writing-on-an_2091820.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e98/neal-asher-24041_any_it-wasn-t-until-i-had-been-writing-on-an_2091820.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e98/neal-asher-24041_any_it-wasn-t-until-i-had-been-writing-on-an_2091820.jpg) > “It wasn't until I had been writing on and off for maybe ten years that I started to establish any kind of routine, thought I couldn't put a finger on an exact date, and this routine relates simply to the aphorism 'How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.'” [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Establishing a routine takes time and often feels vague, but breaking tasks into tiny steps makes progress possible. **In simple terms:** Small steps build habits over years. Key Takeaway Break big goals into tiny actions. Themes productivity habit formation patience Mood determined optimistic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - writing projects - learning a skill - fitness plans - daily chores Key Concepts incremental progress routine building Questions to Reflect On - What tiny step can you take today? - How do you measure progress? A Different Perspective Even tiny steps can feel insufficient without clear milestones. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aphorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorism/) [Elephant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elephant/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Routine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/routine/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-nakoneczny-high-school-track-coach/the-best-way-to-eat-an-elephant-is-one-bite-at-a-time/) Wayne Nakoneczny high school track coach > [“It is what it is"... and "You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time, and sometimes when life throws things at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-l-wood/it-is-what-it-is-and-you-can-only-eat-an-elephant-one-bite-at-a-time/) T.L. Wood > [It's very difficult to move yourself up bit by bit. It's like trying to eat an elephant for God's sake. I can do it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-montgomerie/it-s-very-difficult-to-move-yourself-up-bit-by-bit-it-s-like-trying/) [Colin Montgomerie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-montgomerie/) > [You can eat an elephant if you do it one bite at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-christopher-riley/you-can-eat-an-elephant-if-you-do-it-one-bite-at-a-time/) Robert Christopher Riley > [There is only one way to eat an elephant, a bite at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/there-is-only-one-way-to-eat-an-elephant-a-bite-at-a-time/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [When eating an elephant take one bite at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-eating-an-elephant-take-one-bite-at-a-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Abrams's Advice: When eating an elephant, take one bite at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dickson/abrams-s-advice-when-eating-an-elephant-take-one-bite-at-a-time/) [Paul Dickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dickson/) > [“You have heard the old question, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer is "One bite at a time!" How”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/you-have-heard-the-old-question-how-do-you-eat-an-elephant-the-answer/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You can eat an elephant one bit at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/you-can-eat-an-elephant-one-bit-at-a-time/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [“Before you eat the elephant, make sure you know what parts you want to eat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-stocker/before-you-eat-the-elephant-make-sure-you-know-what-parts-you-want-to/) [Todd Stocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-stocker/) > [Don’t try to eat an elephant for lunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bradford/don-t-try-to-eat-an-elephant-for-lunch/) [Chris Bradford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bradford/) > [When I was four I read the story of horton hears a who and I cried. I wanted to eat that elephant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/when-i-was-four-i-read-the-story-of-horton-hears-a-who-and-i-cried-i/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [“Just get to lunch,” I muttered to myself. It was the only way I could control my anxiety. In 1998, I’d made it through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-owen/just-get-to-lunch-i-muttered-to-myself-it-was-the-only-way-i-could/) [Mark Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-owen/) > [In my teenage years, I started kickboxing, then did a little boxing. When the UFC and MMA exploded in the early 2000s in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bisping/in-my-teenage-years-i-started-kickboxing-then-did-a-little-boxing/) [Michael Bisping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bisping/) > [After working with my father for two years, we started Candie's, a line of imported shoes from Italy. Then in 1982 I set out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-cole/after-working-with-my-father-for-two-years-we-started-candie-s-a-line/) [Kenneth Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-cole/) ## More by Neal Asher > [Satisfaction, for us, is only a brief thing. The man who acquires wealth does not reach a point where he has enough. Success for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/satisfaction-for-us-is-only-a-brief-thing-the-man-who-acquires-wealth/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [Gemmell's name guarantees a satisfying story and a thumping good read. I recommend all his heroic creations - 'Druss the axeman,' 'the Jerusalem man,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/gemmell-s-name-guarantees-a-satisfying-story-and-a-thumping-good-read/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [I've been reading Tanith Lee since I was a teenager, beginning with 'The Birthgrave' and 'The Storm Lord.' Only recently did I discover, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/i-ve-been-reading-tanith-lee-since-i-was-a-teenager-beginning-with/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [Ive been an engineer, barman, skip lorry driver, coalman, boat window manufacturer, contract grass cutter and builder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/ive-been-an-engineer-barman-skip-lorry-driver-coalman-boat-window/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [The greatest admission a human can make is that perhaps he does not have the intelligence, the vision, the grasp to fully understand the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/the-greatest-admission-a-human-can-make-is-that-perhaps-he-does-not/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [With fantasy, one often has to think of a well-loved series before narrowing the selection to a favourite book. So it is with Zelazny.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/with-fantasy-one-often-has-to-think-of-a-well-loved-series-before/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [“Cormac was completely aware that he was being manipulated, but how he could not see. He reckoned that when he did find out, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/cormac-was-completely-aware-that-he-was-being-manipulated-but-how-he/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [I have had periods when I've overused a word, 'candent' being one example, but I'm trying not to do that any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/i-have-had-periods-when-i-ve-overused-a-word-candent-being-one/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [My favourite place to write is at my desk in my house in the mountains of Crete. I produce more there because one big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/my-favourite-place-to-write-is-at-my-desk-in-my-house-in-the/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [The end of the mid finger on my left hand is wider than normal, the nail distorted and a scar in the end. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/the-end-of-the-mid-finger-on-my-left-hand-is-wider-than-normal-the/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [When I started out, I didn't have any writing routine, I had a job. Writing was a hobby I indulged in over the weekends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/when-i-started-out-i-didn-t-have-any-writing-routine-i-had-a-job/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [Moorcock's interlinked 'Eternal Champion' series is a constant source of enjoyment. Of its tragic hero incarnations, my favourite is 'Elric of Melnibone,' and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/moorcock-s-interlinked-eternal-champion-series-is-a-constant-source/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [When I get started each day, I read through and correct the previous day's 2,000 words, then start on the next. As I reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/when-i-get-started-each-day-i-read-through-and-correct-the-previous/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [“shattered like old glass,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/shattered-like-old-glass/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) > [For me, the writing process is the same as the reading process. I want to know what happens next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-asher/for-me-the-writing-process-is-the-same-as-the-reading-process-i-want/) [Neal Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) [Explore all 24 Neal Asher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-asher/) ## More Any quotes > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [We earned any fans with the way we play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/we-earned-any-fans-with-the-way-we-play/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [Hard work and a good education will take you further than any government program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-schock/hard-work-and-a-good-education-will-take-you-further-than-any/) [Aaron Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-schock/) > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [The system in Germany is different, as you sign up with a company for two or three years, and you work exclusively with them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wlaschiha/the-system-in-germany-is-different-as-you-sign-up-with-a-company-for/) [Tom Wlaschiha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wlaschiha/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I haven't shut any doors, and I'm really open to anything, so I think it's just about the material and what is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-haven-t-shut-any-doors-and-i-m-really-open-to-anything-so-i-think/) [Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/) > [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [I love the sea, but I avoid any sort of seaside resort that has skyscrapers or seaside entertainments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-blake/i-love-the-sea-but-i-avoid-any-sort-of-seaside-resort-that-has/) [Quentin Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-blake/) Browse all 6,938 Any quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It wasn't until I had been writing on and off for maybe ten years that I started to establish any kind of routine, thought I couldn't put a finger on an exact date, and this routine relates simply to the aphorism 'How do you eat an elephant? 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