I never thought about success. I always thought about doing the

Hear the words of Steve Martin, who declared: “I never thought about success. I always thought about doing the job at hand. My goal was getting through the show that night.” These words are a torch of wisdom for all who chase lofty dreams. For in them is revealed a truth the ancients long understood: that the path to success is not found in grasping after distant crowns, but in giving one’s whole heart to the task before you, the work of this day, the moment at hand.

The poets of old taught that a man who tries to leap too far will stumble, but the one who takes each step with care will one day climb the mountain. Martin, though known for laughter and brilliance, reminds us that greatness is built not in thoughts of glory, but in quiet perseverance. He cared not for the echo of applause in the years to come, but for the fire of the present moment—the courage to finish the show that night.

Consider the story of the great general Alexander the Great. Though his ambition stretched across the world, his victories came not by dreaming of empires yet unconquered, but by focusing fully on the battle before him. At each clash, his mind and heart were wholly given to the task at hand: the movement of his soldiers, the strength of his enemy, the strategy required in that very hour. It was through mastery of each moment that he strung together victories which, in time, forged an empire. So too with Steve Martin: the future was not his concern; the performance before him was his kingdom to command.

This lesson stands in contrast to the restless spirit of our age. Many long for success, but they fail to give themselves fully to their craft today. They dream of tomorrow’s recognition, yet neglect the labor of the present. But Martin’s wisdom pierces through this vanity: do the job at hand. Whether it is a single note, a single word, a single performance, honor it with all your strength. For when the present is honored, the future builds itself.

It is also a teaching of humility. To think only of the work, and not of the prize, is to free oneself from vanity’s chains. A farmer cannot demand a harvest by staring at the sky; he must tend his field day after day, one row at a time. So too must we tend to our own craft, not with thoughts of fame or wealth, but with devotion to the present labor. Martin’s goal was simple: to finish the show. Yet in finishing each show, night after night, he built a legacy far greater than if he had chased fame directly.

To you who hear these words: take them into your life. Do not torment yourself with visions of what might come years from now. Instead, ask: What is my task today? What is my show to complete this night? Pour yourself into it with all your strength. If you are a student, focus on the lesson before you. If you are a craftsman, give your full attention to the work in your hands. If you are a leader, lead faithfully in this hour. The future will come, but it will be built upon the faithfulness of this present moment.

Thus, the lesson of Steve Martin is clear: success is not a goal, but a byproduct of devotion to the moment. Seek not the applause of tomorrow, but the integrity of today. Fulfill the task before you, honor each day’s labor, and trust that by doing so, you are laying the stones of greatness.

So let it be remembered: do not chase success, but chase the excellence of the present. For when you give yourself wholly to the job at hand, you may one day turn and find that success has quietly followed you, as a faithful shadow that could not help but walk in your steps.