Van Gogh on Great Things from Smallness: Why Little Steps Matter

Explore how Vincent Van Gogh’s insight into small, consistent actions can transform your personal growth journey. Learn why tiny steps toward your goals can lead to great success.

This episode, inspired by my trip to the Netherlands and a visit to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, is about the genius of small movements in the direction of your goals, desires, and passions. A year after I visited the Netherlands and the Van Gogh Museum, I saw this quote, which sparked a desire to explore its roots. So, I did a little digging through some of Van Gogh's letters, and before I knew it, I had created this episode. I hope his insight inspires your creativity. 

The quote: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

In this episode, I explore: 

• One of Van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo, and the source of his famous quote: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."
• The importance of putting the work in and exploring the practical use of the idea that small steps forward (even awkward attempts at something new) are the way. 
• The role of practice (and conscious learning) in manifesting your goals. Manifestation is built on action (seeded with dreams).

Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat.

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Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Van Gogh Quote: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

Songs in this episode: Windy City by Cristina Scannicchio; Slide by GEMM; Solar Wav by GEMM; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters

Related Episodes:

A Poetic Travelogue: Precious Summer Memories from Utrecht (episode #38)

Deep Listening: Uncovering the Wisdom Within (episode #33) 

Resources:

Vincent Van Gogh's Letters (the Van Gogh Museum & the Huygens Institute)

Van Gogh's Letter # 274 (To Theo van Gogh. The Hague, Sunday, 22 October 1882)

7 Habits of Effective Artists (Andrew Price at Blender Conference 2016)

Vincent: A Life In Letters by Vincent van Gogh

Journal Prompts:

1. What project in your life might benefit from a focus on small, incremental steps toward completion?
2. Write or reflect on an achievement that took you a long time to complete. What value did small actions have in helping you shape and realize that achievement?
3. What obstacles exist that might prevent you from working toward a goal in small increments? How can you overcome them?

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