I came across this quote which seemed a particularly poignant reflection on progress and achievement; "Success is not achieved in an instant, but through countless tiny choices", and it took me down a rabbit hole, so to speak.
Often we forget.....it is not the grandiose plans, or the big, splashy events which "make us" or instantly build success; it is the small, often almost overlooked, tiny details which create incredible results. The secret to great accomplishments lies in our ability to commit to a goal, follow the steps needed to succeed, and stay the course even when derailed or discouraged. Here's a powerful visual about the value of even the tiniest of steps.
Remember: obstacles will rise up to halt progress; roadblocks are lying ahead of you around each corner; distractions and the tug of daily responsibilities will wear you down and threaten your vision. Don't pretend those bumps in the road won't happen to you, because that's not a realistic attitude and will thus lead to disappointment - but instead, accept the challenges which present themselves and view them as merely a part of this thing called life.
FIND your thing.
DEFINE the path.
FOCUS forward.
"Nothing worth having comes easy" - put another way, if you're sitting on the side of the road waiting for good things to fall into your lap, you're wasting your time. Real achievement comes from within.