So many people have this idea: I want to achieve something great

"So many people have this idea: I want to achieve something great or be somebody great. And they neglect the step that leads to greatness. They don't honor this step at this moment because they have this idea of some future moment where they are going to be great." With these words, Eckhart Tolle brings forth a timeless truth about the nature of greatness and the often overlooked journey toward it. In our relentless pursuit of the future, we often fail to recognize the importance of the present moment—the step that is the foundation of all that we hope to achieve. Tolle's reflection speaks to the human condition, to our tendency to focus on what lies ahead, and to our failure to fully honor the work and effort that are required today, in this moment.

The ancients, too, understood the danger of neglecting the present in favor of distant aspirations. Socrates, the great philosopher, urged his students not to chase after the illusion of external success, but to focus on the cultivation of virtue and wisdom in the present moment. For him, greatness was not a future prize to be earned but a daily practice—an ongoing journey of living with integrity, awareness, and purpose. It was the daily act of reflection, learning, and ethical action that, over time, led one toward true greatness. He warned against becoming obsessed with some distant ideal, for the present is the only realm in which we can act and build.

Tolle's words echo this ancient wisdom. In our world, where the future is often idealized, we forget that it is not the grand, dramatic moment of success that shapes our path—it is the small, seemingly insignificant actions that we take each day. Just as the gardener does not wait for the perfect harvest to come before planting the seeds, so too must we recognize that greatness begins with humble and consistent efforts in the here and now. It is in honoring the present step, the work we do today, that we lay the foundation for all that is to come.

Consider, for example, the life of Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius was not the result of a single moment of inspiration, but of countless hours spent in meticulous study, experimentation, and practice. Da Vinci’s greatness was the culmination of years of effort, of honoring each step along the way—each drawing, each experiment, each piece of writing. He did not wait for some future moment to be great. Instead, he lived in the present, dedicating himself fully to his craft. It was in the small steps of his life, his persistence in the pursuit of knowledge, that he built the legacy we remember today.

In contrast, the tragic heroes of the ancient world—those who sought greatness through pride or hubris, like Achilles or King Midas—were often undone by their fixation on the future. Achilles, the great warrior of Homer's Iliad, sought eternal glory on the battlefield, but in his obsession with a moment of glory, he failed to see the consequences of his actions. His future glory came at the cost of his life. Similarly, King Midas, in his pursuit of untold riches, was blind to the joy and relationships that existed in his present. In his desire for greatness, he failed to honor the steps that would have brought him true fulfillment.

The lesson from Tolle’s words is clear and profound: greatness is not found in a distant future, but in the steps we take today. The pursuit of a goal may inspire us, but it is the work we do in the present, the effort and commitment we bring to the task at hand, that truly shapes our journey. We must honor each moment, recognizing that it is in these moments that our future is built. Just as the ancients understood the importance of the present in shaping one's character and destiny, so too must we cultivate the habit of acting with intention, of embracing the small steps that lead to greatness.

So, let us not be deceived by the allure of the future or the promise of some grand moment of success. Greatness is not an event—it is a journey, a process of continuous effort, focus, and discipline. Let us commit to honoring the step before us, to living with purpose in the present, for it is in doing so that we lay the foundation for the greatness we seek. The future is shaped by the choices we make today, and it is in the present that our true power lies. Let us step forward with intention, with humility, and with the knowledge that every small action we take is a part of our legacy.