Contemplating Quote by John Steinbeck
“When I face the desolate impossibility of writing five hundred pages, a sick sense of failure falls on me, and I know I can never do it. Then gradually, I write one page and then another. One day's work is all I can permit myself to contemplate.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to a fellow writer, 1950
Facing a massive task feels overwhelming, but breaking it into tiny steps makes progress possible.
In simple terms: Write a little at a time.
Key Takeaway
Start with one page.
Themes
procrastination
creative block
goal setting
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
motivational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- academic thesis
- large project planning
Key Concepts
incrementalism
self‑efficacy
focus
Questions to Reflect On
- What small step can you commit to today?
- How does limiting scope reduce fear?
A Different Perspective
One page may not be enough for momentum.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
