“Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.” – Friedrich Schiller, Die Braut von Messina (The Bride of Messina), Act IV, sc. vii (1803

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This line out of that masterpiece is simply to emphasize that one must master the basics of any subject or skill before going onto the more complex. It’s always important, in whatever is being built, to begin with a strong, well-suited foundation. For example in music, I began with notes, which became scales which becomes chords which taken in different modes and used in different genres become songs. I have yet to write a masterpiece. But with a little more application of the fundamentals, maybe one day.

It’s like this in all we do. We learn the basics as a foundation and begin to fly, until we finally soar.

You apply this quote as a mantra of sorts. Remind yourself to gain foundational skills. These make the tough ones so much easier. And when you begin to master those with competence, you have earned your confidence. Excellence in these small things paves the way to bigger dreams and accomplishments. What skill should you be working on? Start… now….