Did Einstein build his research lab in a day? Did Shakespeare write any of his plays in one or even two or three sittings? Has anyone ever accomplished their entire life's goals between breakfast and lunch? Probably not.
Here's my take: once you can accept small steps, tiny victories, the miniscule monuments of your days, you will achieve great things.
Above we've got an image I took that I think represents that axiom well. This is a student at the San Alejandro Fine Arts High School, an internationally renowned public art institute in Havana, Cuba. It is famous for the well-trained and resourceful students it produces. The student pictured above is 17 years old and his name is Raúl. Upon meeting him, he exuded an air of youthful confidence that is only found in people at the age who have incredible ambition and skill. Raúl is no exception to the rule that raw talent reigns, but he is also one of the most humble people I have ever met.
It took me several minutes of repoire-building conversation to get his background. Once he opened up, it was clear to me that I could learn something from his story. With less resources (time is a resource, too!), more valuable creations are made. Small steps lead to big steps. Big steps make changes.