Joshua Medcalf opens Chop Wood Carry Water with a dream that can only be realized with dedication and commitment. The book begins with the extended parable of John dreaming of becoming a samurai archer, and through pursuing the realization of this dream, he learns “how to fall in love with the process of becoming great” (1).

In the opening scenes in Japan, John is told to chop wood and carry water to the village. These unglamorous tasks are the foundation of success. Medcalf explains why many people fail before reaching their potential: “The problem with small is that it isn’t sexy, and it’s often repetitively boring” (12). The daily grind, the chopping of wood and the hauling of water, are the foundations of a lifestyle of success. This commitment takes time and discipline, and an awareness of how one spends his or her time: “My encouragement to you would be to actually track how you use your time each day for the next week. Most people are shocked at how they actually use their 86,400 seconds,” Medcalf claims (105). Further, he points out that the majority of people will abandon their vision of success precisely because the daily grind is unglamorous, not applauded, and without external reward: “Everyone wants to be great, until it’s time to do what greatness requires” (12).