Consider that the Grand Canyon (in the US) was formed by a once great river. Scientists speculate that the canyons discovered on Mars were created by ancient rivers and oceans. What is it about rivers? Rivers persist and adapt.
If you put your foot in the river, the water would continue to flow around your foot. In the most extreme case that you never remove your foot from the river, the persistent flow of water would erode away the skin.
If we live our life with the persistence and adaptiveness of a river, we will become ultra-effective. We will create the metaphorical equivalent of carving grand canyons.