I first learned the term “chunking” when I was 24 years old. At the time, I had recently read about hedgehogs and their signature defense mechanism—rolling into a tight, spiky ball. This pose protects them against almost any predator or threat. I was fascinated by how effective this simple trick was for hedgehogs.
Around the same time, I came across the chunking technique. As soon as I understood the basics, I realized it was the human version of a hedgehog curling into a ball! Ever since then, chunking has been my go-to method whenever I face a problem or decision that has me feeling confused or helpless. I throw the chunking technique at the issue and—voila!—things become clearer and a path forward emerges.
What is Chunking?
Chunking refers to the process of breaking down information into smaller, more manageable pieces or “chunks.” When facing a large, complex issue, this technique helps unclog your thinking so you can analyze it from different perspectives.
Specifically, chunking consists of two complementary thought processes:
Chunking Up
Chunking up means taking a zoom-out view of the issue to see the bigger picture. You move to a higher, more general level in order to gain broader context. This bird’s eye perspective allows you to understand where the specific problem fits within the whole. Getting above the confusing details often eliminates that helpless feeling immediately.
Chunking up lets you view a problem from a broader perspective
Chunking Down
Chunking down takes the opposite approach. Here, you zoom in to focus on the finer grain details. The goal is to break the issue down into its component parts so you can untangle knotty aspects one by one. This analysis uncovers the root source of the confusion. Once you identify the specific sticking points, solutions tend to emerge naturally.
Chunking down lets you view a problem from a narrower angle
Shifting flexibility between the big picture and tiny details allows you to attack the problem from multiple angles. You shake up stale thinking patterns and shed new light on the most troublesome spots.
A Concrete Example of Using Chunking
Recently, I employed this technique when a colleague came to me struggling with a report they had to write. They explained feeling perpetually lost whenever they sat down to work on it, saying:
“I can’t write a good report. I feel lost every time I get to write one. I tried, but it doesn’t work.”
My first move was to chunk up and broaden the perspective. I double checked whether they truly could never write any report well:
“You can’t write any report well! Never wrote one?”
“No, I did write a few…[report 1] and [report 2].”
This quick clarification revealed they indeed had successfully written reports in the past. I continued zooming out to validate that critical piece of context:
“So you can write reports?”
“Yes, but I followed a template.”
Ah ha! They could write reports from a template. My instinct was we needed to chunk back down to understand why templates worked so well. So I asked:
“The templates were that useful?”
“Yes, I knew what to write and where to write it.”
The root issues began emerging as we narrowed the focus. Without a template to guide structure, they felt directionless. So I checked this diagnosis:
“So you need help with identifying the outline?”
“I also can’t determine the length of each section and level of detail.”
Bingo! We had zoomed in on exact barriers—no outline providing overall structure, sections lengths, level of detail guidance. I now had enough context about these sticking points to make an informed suggestion:
“Should we prepare an outline together and agree on what to include in each section now?”
“Yeah! And I can take it from there.”
Just 15 minutes of strategically chunking up and down equipped my colleague with the missing pieces to feel empowered taking on this report solo.
The flexibility to widen and narrow my view lets me quickly home in on core issues plaguing someone. I led them to realize they actually could write reports perfectly well armed with an upfront outline. That small win of confidence was all they needed to overcome feeling lost.
Give Chunking a Whirl for Your Toughest Problems
I encourage you to add chunking to your mental toolbox if you haven’t already. It takes some practice, but becomes second nature over time.
Next time you feel mired confusion, anxiety, or despair on a decision or problem, give this technique a try before throwing in the towel. Zoom up to remind yourself this issue is likely a smaller piece of a bigger landscape you have handled before. Then crank the microscope to understand which components need attention.
I’d say chunking gives me clarity around 90% of dilemmas I apply it to. It reliably unties my mental knots even in situations where friends feel convinced no path forward exists.
Let me know if you give it a test run! I’d love to hear if you have the same success relying on this trusty technique that serves me so well. I hope you’ll find yourself rolling into a problem-solving ball as quickly and easily as a hedgehog too in no time.
