In human affairs of danger and delicacy successful conclusion is sharply limited by hurry. So often men trip by being in a rush. If one were properly to perform a difficult and subtle act, he should first inspect the end to be achieved and then, once he had accepted the end as desirable, he should forget it completely and concentrate solely on the means. By this method he would not be moved to false action by anxiety or hurry or fear. Very few people learn this.

From “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck

I was looking for a literary snippet. I opened the novel “East of Eden,” which I had read a long time ago, and the beginning of chapter 21 flashed before my eyes.  I felt like one of those magicians who had opened a deck of cards and found the mystery card hidden by someone in the audience.  This must be the right paragraph for today. The quote from John Steinbeck contains quite a bit of teaching. One can never be in a hurry to complete anything. Many people admire whatever you did well, but only a few ask how long it took you to accomplish it.  I don’t know if it is possible or even advisable to “once he had accepted the end as desirable, he should forget it completely and concentrate solely on the means.”  One must have a clear goal of where one wants to get and keep it in mind.