In the realm of human achievement, the notion that greatness arises from the sum of many small, incremental steps has been championed by numerous individuals across a wide array of disciplines. One such individual was Vincent van Gogh, the legendary Dutch painter who, despite his tumultuous life, left an indelible mark on the world of art. Through his own words, van Gogh articulates this principle: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
To truly understand the essence of this proverb, we must first examine the context of van Gogh’s life and work. Although he is now considered one of the most influential artists in history, during his lifetime, he was largely unrecognized and suffered from a host of personal and financial struggles. It was through his unwavering dedication to his craft and his painstaking focus on the smallest details that he was able to create some of the most iconic works of art the world has ever known.
One of the most striking examples of the power of small things can be found in the world of sports. Take, for instance, the case of the British cycling team. For years, the team had languished in mediocrity, with only a handful of international victories to their name. This all changed when Sir Dave Brailsford was appointed as the team’s performance director in 2003. Brailsford believed in the power of marginal gains—the idea that by improving every aspect of a cyclist’s performance by just 1%, the cumulative effect would result in a significant overall improvement.
Under Brailsford’s guidance, the team focused on seemingly minor factors, such as the type of pillows and mattresses the cyclists used to ensure optimal rest, the materials used in their uniforms to minimize wind resistance, and even the way they washed their hands to reduce the likelihood of illness. By meticulously attending to these small details, the British cycling team achieved astonishing success, winning an unprecedented number of Olympic gold medals and Tour de France titles over the next decade.
This philosophy of incremental progress can also be applied to the realm of personal development. In his seminal work, “The Tipping Point,” Malcolm Gladwell explores the idea that significant change can occur when small, seemingly insignificant actions accumulate over time. By consistently making small, positive changes in our daily habits, such as reading for 30 minutes each day, practicing mindfulness, or exercising regularly, we can gradually and almost imperceptibly transform our lives for the better.
In the world of business, the same principle holds true. Companies that prioritize incremental innovation—constantly seeking out small improvements in their products, processes, and services—are often the ones that outpace their competitors and achieve long-term success. Apple Inc., for example, has built its empire on the back of a relentless pursuit of perfection, consistently refining and improving its products to ensure they remain at the cutting edge of technology and design.
Van Gogh’s words remind us that greatness is not achieved through grand gestures or sudden epiphanies but through the persistent and patient accumulation of small steps. It is a lesson that applies not only to the world of art but to every aspect of human endeavor. By embracing the power of small things brought together, we can unlock our potential for greatness and change the world in ways we never thought possible.
In the late 19th century, a young inventor named Thomas Edison set out to change the world with a series of small but significant innovations. His dedication to progress and unyielding persistence would eventually lead to the creation of the incandescent light bulb, a device that would revolutionize how humans lived and worked. Edison’s journey to this groundbreaking invention serves as a prime example of the truth behind Vincent van Gogh’s proverb: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Edison’s first foray into the realm of invention was modest but telling. As a telegraph operator, he noticed that the existing stock ticker machines, which transmitted stock prices over telegraph lines, were prone to errors and delays. Determined to improve upon the existing technology, Edison began tinkering with the machines, making a series of small improvements that would ultimately lead to a more efficient and reliable system. This early success caught the attention of investors, who began to support his further endeavors.
Edison’s next major project was the development of a long-lasting and practical electric light. In the 1870s, the majority of artificial lighting came from gas lamps, which were dangerous, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly. While other inventors had attempted to create electric light sources, their designs were impractical, with short-lived and fragile filaments. Edison, convinced that a better solution was within reach, set out to create a long-lasting, affordable, and safe electric light.
Edison’s approach to this challenge was methodical and incremental. He believed that the key to success lay in finding the perfect combination of filament material, bulb shape, and vacuum quality. Over the course of many months, Edison and his team experimented with thousands of different materials and configurations, carefully recording the results of each test. The process was slow and, at times, disheartening. However, Edison’s unwavering belief in the power of small improvements kept him going.
Finally, after countless trials and errors, Edison hit upon the perfect combination: a carbonized bamboo filament enclosed in a vacuum-sealed glass bulb. The result was a practical, long-lasting, and affordable electric light source that would forever change the way people lived and worked. Edison’s invention of the incandescent light bulb not only illuminated homes, businesses, and streets around the world but also paved the way for countless other innovations in the field of electric power.
The success of Thomas Edison and his incandescent light bulb can be traced back to the application of van Gogh’s proverb: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Edison’s meticulous attention to detail, his relentless pursuit of incremental improvements, and his refusal to be discouraged by failure all played a part in his ultimate triumph. In the end, it was the cumulative effect of these small steps that brought about one of the most transformative inventions in human history.