“Thou must also take heed of another kind of wandering, for they are idle in their actions, who toil and labour in this life, and have no certain scope to which to direct all their motions, and desires.” — Marcus Aurelius
A river rushes with force because it is defined by its banks. The water rushes in a particular direction on a defined course. A lake, on the other hand, is still and static. It is large and broad and lethargic. All the water of a lake holds immense potential power, but power that could only be exercised if focused into a smaller space and in a specific direction.
Every human is full of passions and desires. They are beautiful and tragic. But in terms of physical reality, emotions are a dime a dozen (kind of like startup ideas). In order to achieve success in a physical world of cause and effect, you must focus your efforts. You must make a plan and stay committed. You must cut a deep river and let your whole lake break through one dam at a time.
Source: Marcus Aurelius, Meditations.