ADHD at Work ADHD Productivity ADHD Reflections Workplace Hacks
by Jason Longo

Eat the Elephant? Nah, I’ll Start with a Peanut

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You’ve heard the phrase: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” It’s supposed to be encouraging. It’s meant to help us take on huge, overwhelming tasks with a methodical mindset.

But let’s be honest—most days, we don’t even want to see the elephant, let alone take the first bite.

Here’s the problem: everyone around us wants us to eat the elephant first. Start with the big project. Tackle the hardest task first. Make progress on that long-term goal. And while that’s all very noble, it often ignores the reality of how motivation actually works—especially if you’re wired a little differently. (Hello, ADHD friends. Hello, creatives. Hello, humans with actual lives and emotions.)

Sometimes, we just need a win. A small one. A manageable one. A peanut.

The Power of a Peanut

Doing something small—checking one item off your list, organizing one folder, replying to that one email you’ve avoided—can trigger a surge of satisfaction. That little win gives your brain a hit of dopamine, which fuels more action. That action leads to momentum. That momentum? It might just get you ready to nibble at the elephant later.

So instead of trying to take a bite out of an intimidating, tusked to-do list, ask yourself:

  • What’s one small thing I can do right now that will give me a win?

  • Can I complete something that takes under 5 minutes?

  • What will make me feel more in control?

Sometimes, we don’t need to break down the big thing—we need to build up ourselves.

Why We Struggle with the Elephant

It’s not that we’re lazy. Or undisciplined. Or don’t care. The elephant looks like failure waiting to happen. It looks like complexity. It looks like 47 steps and a hundred opportunities to mess up. So we freeze. Or we get distracted. Or we clean our desks for the fifth time.

But give us one small, clear task? We’ll nail it. Then maybe another. And another. And before we know it, we’re circling the elephant again—this time with a little swagger.

Final Thought

You don’t have to eat the elephant today. Or tomorrow. Maybe this week is just about gathering your utensils and building confidence with a few tasty peanuts. And that’s okay.

Momentum > Pressure. Progress > Perfection.

Start small. Win early. Come back for the elephant later—on your terms.

Author

Jason Longo

As an artist, musician, project manager, and neurodivergent creator with a background that blends design, education, and marketing, I’ve spent my life navigating the intersections of creativity and focus.

Through Creative with ADHD, I share tools, systems, and insights for fellow creatives living with ADHD. From digital planners to thought-provoking blogs, everything I create is designed to support focus, flow, and follow-through—without sacrificing your spark. Whether you're chasing inspiration or corralling chaos, you're in the right place.

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Now That I Know I Have ADHD — Is It an Excuse or a Key to My Strengths?

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I was diagnosed with ADHD at 54. Just a few months ago, in fact. And since then, I’ve started taking medication, added some supplements, and have been working hard on rebuilding my habits.

But something’s been nagging at me.

If all of this is working—if I’m focusing better, completing tasks, and feeling more “together”—does that mean I’m not really ADHD anymore? Or is this more like alcoholism, where you’re always considered one, even if you’re sober?

Here’s what I’ve come to understand: ADHD doesn’t vanish just because you’re managing it well. It doesn’t get “cured.” It’s more like a built-in part of your brain’s operating system. And what I’ve added—medication, supplements, and new routines—are just tools that help me navigate the world more effectively.

With vs. Without Support

  • Before treatment, my brain was like a browser with 47 tabs open—on dial-up.

  • Now, it’s like I finally got fiber internet and a bookmark system. The tabs are still there, but I can actually use them.

I haven’t changed who I am. I’ve just changed how I support myself.

Is It Cheating to Take Medication?

I used to wonder if I was supposed to just “try harder” or rely on willpower. Like many of us do for decades. But let’s be honest—telling someone with blurry vision to just squint harder doesn’t make them see clearly. Getting glasses isn’t cheating. Neither is treating your brain.

Medication doesn’t erase my ADHD. It just gives me a chance to work with it instead of constantly working against it.

This Is a Lifelong Mindset

Like alcoholism, ADHD doesn’t go away. But unlike recovery, this isn’t about avoiding something—it’s about building something. Systems. Strategies. Forgiveness. Self-awareness.

There are still rough days. Still moments I walk into a room and forget why. But now, I know why that happens—and I know what helps.

I still have ADHD. But now I have a plan, too.

What About You?

Have you been recently diagnosed? Are you figuring out what works for your brain—whether it’s medication, supplements, therapy, or building new habits?
Share your story in the comments or reach out—I’d love to hear how you’re navigating your ADHD journey.

Let’s figure this out together, one focused moment at a time.

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Staying Focused Without the Cookie: How to Work Without Immediate Gratification

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For people with ADHD or creative minds that thrive on novelty and rewards, staying focused without a quick win can feel like running on a treadmill with no screen, no music, and no finish line. Why bother?

But the truth is, many of the things that matter—big creative projects, long-term goals, consistent habits—don’t hand out gold stars after every step. So how do we stick with them anyway?

Here are a few strategies that work when the dopamine isn’t delivering:

1. Gamify It—Even If It Feels Silly

Turn the task into a game. Break it into chunks. Use timers. Give yourself points or checkmarks. Visuals help: sticker charts aren’t just for kids. Even a goofy reward system can help your brain play along.

⏱ 2. Use Timers, Not Willpower

Pomodoro technique, countdown clocks, visual timers—they create a beginning, middle, and end. Knowing that a break is scheduled keeps your brain from searching for an escape hatch.

3. Find a Micro-Win

If the end goal feels miles away, find the smallest thing that can feel like a “done.” One paragraph written. One file renamed. One plant watered. You’re not lazy—you just need a checkpoint.

4. Reflect on the Why

Remind yourself why this matters. A sticky note on your screen or a mantra helps. “Future Me will be so relieved I did this,” might be enough to push through.

5. Say It Out Loud

If you’re working solo, narrate your task like you’re on a cooking show. If you’re in public, whisper it or use a voice note. Externalizing your thoughts can bring clarity and focus.

6. Work With Someone (Even Virtually)

Body doubling—working alongside someone, in person or online—can help you stay on task, even if you’re not doing the same thing. It adds gentle pressure and support.

Bottom Line
If the cookie’s not coming, build your own vending machine. Your brain might need a little extra incentive—but that doesn’t mean you’re not capable. You just need to stack the deck in your favor.

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